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Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-6 / Final Episode

2016.08.25

As I introduced in our previous blogs,

“Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-1~5”

that the firework has a long history, and there are always experienced and skillfull pryotechnicians risking their lives to set off the amazing fireworks. There are also many staff putting so much time and effort to make the breathtaking fireworks displays happen.

I would like to review our previous blogs about Japanese fireworks.

Although it’s hard to say when the Mikuni fireworks display first started, it was already established in 1932. The Mikuni fireworks display has a long history that it is now known as one of the biggest and greatest fireworks displays in Hokuriku region (Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures). Moreover, Mikuni fireworks display’s pyrotechnicians had set off the fireworks successfully in Nagano Olympics in 1998. These pyrotechnicians belong to

Inakako Horiuchi Enka (Horiuchi fireworks-Inakako Fireworks Company) fireworks company

in Nagano Prefecture.

People shout “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” at fireworks in Japan, and they are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous historical pyrotechnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Where were the fireworks started?

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started, it is said that the origin of the fireworks was started from China. People used to use it as a signal fire on the Great Wall of China in the period of the first emperor in China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

And in Japan, it was started becoming familiar and popular in Edo Period (1603-1867) by the two great pyrotechnicians, “Tamaya” and “Kagiya”.

Can you see fireworks from where you live?

Next time when you have an opportunity to see ones, enjoy watching them remembering our previous blogs,

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

I would like to share the video of “1tsubame”, “2016[4K]Revival Prayer fireworks[Phoenix]Nagaoka Fireworks festival”. Please enjoy!

T.F

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

2016.08.23

Fireworks

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started,

it is said that the origin of fireworks were started from China.

People used to use it as a signal fire on the Great Wall of China for a means of

communication in the period of the first emperor in China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

During that time, fireworks did not look how they do in the present time,

it was not for an entertainment purpose at all.

And it is said that the modern fireworks which make multihued and bright sparks were started

in Italy in the 14th century. According to records, fireworks were used to be put on floats

during Christian festivals and they made noise and sparks.

In Japan, the modern types of fireworks were started in Edo Period (1603-1868 CE)

it became popular around this time.

As I introduced in our previous blogs that there were two of famous pyrotechnicians

in the Edo Period, “Kagiya” and “Tamaya”, they played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan.

Now, we know that the origin of fireworks is from China.

I would like to share a video of “New China TV”,

“Chinese New Year Fireworks Show in New York City”. Please enjoy!

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

T.F

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

2016.08.19

Fireworks

One of the highlights of the Japanese summer is fireworks.

Have you ever seen Japanese fireworks displays?

Have you ever heard people shouting “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” to the fireworks?

Do you know what “Tamaya” and “Kagiya” are?

Tamaya and Kagiya are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous and historical pyrotechnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan

during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Tamaya was an apprentice to Kagiya at the beginning.

Tamaya branched off from the Kagiya and started competing with Kagiya.

They both were great so that viewers shouted their names to praise them.

However, Tamaya accidently caused a firework fire in 1843 which destroyed a good deal of the city. The fire was considered as a serious crime in the Edo Period.

As a result of the fire,

Tamaya was kicked out of the city and had to discontinue their business.

After that, their business was no longer continued by Tamaya,

it has been continued from several people outside of their family.

Nowadays, Mr. Nakajima from Yachiyo City in Chiba Prefecture runs Tamaya.

(it is now called “Ganso Tamaya”. *available only in Japanese)

The original Kagiya company continues to this day

(it is now called SOHKE HANABI "KAGIYA" Co., Ltd *available only in Japanese),

with the 15th generation head continuing to preserve the tradition.

Akiko Amano is the 15th-generation director and she is the first female head of a pryotechnist family stretching back three and a half centuries. She is now in charge of 100 pyrotechnicians.

When you look at Japanese fireworks next time, how about shouting

“Kagiya” and/or “Tamaya”?

I would like to share a video of “sironekomilk”,

“HD 1080p fireworks Japan beautiful in the world/”

Please enjoy!

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

T.F

Mikuni Fireworks Display at 10x speed

2016.08.18

Fireworks

We have just bought a wearable camera, “GoPro Hero4”, which we had been willing to have for a long time. One of our co-workers mentioned to us that she was going to see

“Mikuni Fireworks Display” so I asked her to take the camera and film the fireworks display.

The Mikuni Fireworks Display is conducted at Mikuni Sunset Beach in Mikuni Town,

Fukui Prefecture on August 11th, every year. Water fireworks is renowned for the gorgeous splendor of the display.

（T.S）

GoPro HERO4