Happy Summer! In Japan, summer means so many things like summer vacation, beach, shaved ice, humidity, the heat, the AC, yukata, bon odori, and chilled noodles. However, one of the most iconic things about summer is fireworks or 花火 (hanabi). Each summer, cities, and towns hold numerous firework festivals across Japan to celebrate summer. But, what is the history of fireworks in Japan, and how do they celebrate watching them? Also, since this post is a Battle of the Bands, which songs did I pick that mentions “fireworks” in them? Let’s read on to find out!
The (Brief) History of Fireworks
It is believed that fireworks came to Japan in the early 17th Century (or 1600s) when Tokugawa Ieyasu received some fireworks from King James I of England. Tokugawa received them as a gift as he enjoyed fireworks.[1] However, the public didn’t get to see fireworks until 1733 at the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival. This festival started as a way to remember those who died due to starvation and death during the Kyōhō famine of 1732. They were originally called Ryōgoku Kawabiraki (両国川開き) and served as a way to celebrate life, mourn the dead, and provided entertainment for everyone. [2]
However, fireworks can be some sort of charm to ward off evil spirits. You see, a lot of firework festivals are held during the Obon holidays (August 13-15). Obon is a celebration to honor the spirits of deceased ancestors. as these spirits come back to visit. As the celebration ends, the spirits are sent off as part of the okuribi ritual. During this time, fireworks are displayed to ward off any evil spirits and protect those ancestral spirits. [3]
Today, fireworks in Japan are admirable for their unique beauty and the amazing craftsmanship that went into making them. Fireworks have been admired for their colors since the late 18th century when potassium chlorae was added to the mix.[4] There are even different shapes that exploded in the night sky: stars, hearts, and waterfalls. There are even competitions to see which manufacturer created the best fireworks.
By the way, You should check out this post by JNTO about how fireworks are made in Japan. Also, check out this mixed media presentation about Japanese fireworks by NHK.
Setting Off These Fireworks For This Battle of the Bands
In honor of firework festivals (which have been postponed or canceled due to COVID and/or Olympics), this Battle of the Bands is all about fireworks. I choose three songs that envision the sense of these unique fiery displays in the sky or even the little sparklers that people can hold. The songs are “Hanabi” by aiko, “Senkou Hanabi” by Morning Musume., and “H・A・N・A・B・I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~” by ZONE. Listen to each song and tell me which one is your favorite! Let me know in the comments! Enjoy!
“Hanabi” by aiko (1999)
Do you ever fall asleep? Every moment in the sheets
Thinking of you
Dreams are terribly sad if you wake up with dreams
Fireworks don’t go up today
The words that I have swore many times in my chest flew away
“I will never forget 1 mm,”…
Everything that has a haze and shadow and no shape
I can’t entertain
A winged angel with triangular eyes hears the news of love
Stop on your right arm and blindfold
“If you’re tired, why don’t you stop?”
**Hanging on the summer constellation and looking down on the fireworks from above
I love you so much
Hanging on the summer constellation and looking down on the fireworks from above**
I shed tears and put out the fire
All the toes on the torn sandstone
What remains is a piece of memory
When the wind you want to catch a little pass under your feet
I want to give you a lot of laughter
The winged angel with a triangular ear hears a sigh of love
Pointing at me with round eyes
“If you fall once or twice”
%% Hanging on the summer constellation and looking down on the fireworks from above
I certainly like it
Hanging on the summer constellation and looking down on the fireworks from above
I touched the last embers
The red and green chrysanthemum petals
Only one, but one
“If you’re tired, stop…”
Fireworks won’t go away Tears won’t wither
Repeat **
Repeat &&
Hanging on the summer constellation…
Bye Bye Bye…
Bye Bye Bye…
(Credits: https://myjpop.jspinyin.net/lyrics-aiko-%E8%8A%B1%E7%81%AB-%E6%AD%8C%E8%A9%9E/)
“Senkou Hanabi” (Sparklers) by Morning Musume. (1999)
The season has changed in no time at all
I’m already on my second diary (writing about this romance)
Stop pretending to kiss me
Every time we stop at a red light
It’s embarrassing
The fire reflected in your eyes
From the sparkler, we’re holding between us
Is really beautiful
You promised me that
The sparklers in our hearts
Would never go out
Forever
Before we knew it we were kissing
(Tonight) I drew a heart in my diary (once again)
Stop looking at
All the other girls who walk past
I’m getting jealous
What colour is
The fire reflected in my eyes
From the sparkler, we’re holding between us?
The sparklers in our hearts
It may not be flashy
But you lit them
Forever
The fire reflected in your eyes
From the sparkler, we’re holding between us
Is really beautiful
You promised me that
The sparklers in our hearts
Would never go out
Forever
(Source: https://www.nautiljon.com/paroles/morning+musume.-21/senkou+hanabi.html)
“H・A・N・A・B・I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~” (The Summer That You Were Here) by ZONE (2004)
The summer that you were here
Looking at the sunflower blooming in the night sky, the shapes of the short-lived and scattering stars
Now sends tears down my cheeks from my eyes
I won’t forget that summer…
I arrived early at the stone steps of the Shinto shrine, where we met
At the sound of “clatter clatter”, I know right away that you were coming
We haven’t seen each other in a while, show me that smile again
When tomorrow comes, maybe… Yes, I’ll be in a dream…
>> The summer that you were here
Beneath the night sky, hand in hand, we ran through the gravel road
We could hear in the distance the voices of fireworks that sadly sounded out
The eternal summer
The feeling of “I don’t like this anymore”
My form could be seen behind you
It was all reflected in a falling drop like a shooting star
I won’t forget that summer…
From then on, that place suddenly called out to me
Many times, when I close my eyes
I listened carefully, and I shouldn’t have been able to hear that sound
But I definitely did in my heart
Chorus >>
The summer that you were there, the summer with you…
Looking at the sunflower blooming in the night sky, the shapes of the short-lived and scattering stars
Now sends tears down my cheeks from my eyes
The summer that you were here
Beneath the night sky, hand in hand, we ran through the gravel road
We could hear in the distance the voices of fireworks that sadly sounded out
The eternal summer
The feeling of “I don’t like this anymore”
My form could be seen behind you
It was all reflected in a falling drop like a shooting star
I won’t forget that summer…
To go back to that summer once again…
The summer that you were here, the eternal summer
The summer that you were here, the eternal summer
