Japanese Culture

Ready for the fireworks season?? Fireworks displays and festivals have been a summer tradition in Japan for a long time. It started to mourn the dead during the Obon season in the Edo Period. Fireworks displays are evolving, and you can enjoy the change of color, shape, and movement.

Sparkles (handheld fireworks) are also popular in Japan. You can buy them at the convenience stores or supermarkets during the summer season. Parks and beaches are the common places to enjoy fireworks, though there might be some restrictions so please check the signboards before you start sparkles. Bring the fire, buckets with water for dying out the sparkles, and also a plastic bag to take out the garbage.

One of my favorites is the 'Senko Hanabi' which is thin and usually colored with red and blue, yellow or purple. You lit the pointy side, the opposite of the side with shiny paper. Senko Hanabi's fire is very weak and easy to drop off, so you have to concentrate not to move your hand. If you hold the fire for a long time, you can see beautiful sparkles that look like golden dragonflies. If the fire never drops and just disappears, that means you could keep it through the end. It's fun to compete on how long you can keep the Senko Hanabi with your mates. You can find Senko Hanabi in quite most of the handheld fireworks packages.
Fireworks, whether it's a display or handheld, continue to fascinate the Japanese people and color the summer season.