The Jinryu-Ji Temple in Tsuchiura
By Avi LandauJinryu-Ji (神龍寺), in Tsuchiura, is a Soto Sect Zen Temple which was founded in 1530. Within its precincts stands a memorial stone dedicated to consoling the spirits of pilots who lost their lives training on, over, and around Lake Kasumigaura, along whose shores once lay the Naval-Air Force, and later the YOKAREN (予科練） flight training schools. In the early years of aviation, accidents took a heavy toll on student (and experienced) pilots.
In 1925 (Taisho 14), Jinryu-Ji`s priest Akimoto Baiho’s dream of holding a national fireworks competition became a reality. He had been pushing this idea as a stimulus to revive the sluggish local economy AND as a tribute and consolation to all these fallen pilots (remember, this is LONG before WWII).
Considering this proposed purpose, it is surprising that the competition is held NOT by the lake, but along the Sakura River. This might be because, traditionally, the great fireworks events of Japan have been associated with rivers, especially the great Sumida River event (in Tokyo) which has been held almost every year since 1733.
Except for a pause during the war years, the Tsuchiura Fireworks Competition has been taking place every year(since 1925) and it seems to be getting more and more popular with each coming year. One reason for this is that most fireworks events in Japan are held in summer, while this one is in autumn. Thus there are no similar events(in summer there are thousands!) to compete with. Of course, there is also the quality of the event. Each year, fireworks fans can get a glimpse of each master’s latest creation. It is a two hour state-of-the-art HANABI extravaganza, and the pyrotechnist who takes first place has received the highest honor in his field.Hanabi, literally means FIRE-FLOWERS, and in Japan that is traditionally what you got: whiiiiiiiiiiiiish- POW -cherry blossom, whiiiiiiiish-POW- chrysanthemum, whiiiiiiiiiish-POW- plum blossom.The connection with blossoms is strong. In fact, fireworks viewing is considered by many Japanese to be a LIFE-CYCLE MARKER, along with cherry blossom viewing. By that I mean that many Japanese, every year of their lives, from childhood through old age experience these seasonal VIEWING EVENTS. In this way they measure the years as they pass by.
Fireworks are also linked to cherry blossoms in that they both burst out in a fleeting moment of beauty which quickly fades away, symbolizing MUJO (the ephemeral nature of all things). In recent years, however, with the popularity of star mines, the competition has started reminding me more of the BIGNESS of an American 4th of July style firework bombardment. A barrage, as opposed to the dainty and delicate HANABI of the past.
It is interesting to note that as part of the mysterious way culture flows through the world over the ages, fireworks, now linked so stongly with traditional Japanese culture were actually introduced to Japan by Europeans. The Portuguese brought them here in the 1500s along with Western firearms. The first recorded instance of a HANABI event took place in 1613 and was sponsored by Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.
Today I went to check out the preparations for this weekend’s festivities. Laborers (including women and children!!!!) were hard at work putting up unsightly plywood boards to prevent viewers from crowding the bridge or occupying any roadside knolls. Things look very bad indeed, but they say it’s safer this way. The reserved seats (sajiki) have been set up, but alas, the weather forecast is not very favorable ( the festivities could very well be postponed for a week).If extremely crowded and noisy conditions are not your thing, you might want to enjoy the event from afar (as so many Tsukubans do). One place I would recommend for that is the Kamitakatsu Shell Mound Park. There on the expansive lawn you can spread your legs, picnic, and enjoy the occasional firework that emerges from behind the trees. There is usually some good music to be heard there too.
Of course if you dont get up close you cant experience the pungent smell of the powder and the tumbling ash,
See you there!
Here is a report on past years Hanabi Taikai:
and some more things Ive written about this season in Tsukuba:
http://blog.alientimes.org/2008/09/in-autumn-dont-forget-web-search-as-you-head-for-your-front-door/
Fireworks(Hanabi:花火), Nice article of Avi-san!
We were very lucky last evening(6th/Oct.) to have Fireworks Festival in Tsuchiura no rain- time just between heavy rainfall in early afternoon and late evening. I enjoyed it by TV watching, cause it would be a little bit cold(I am afraid to be frozen?) and too crowded there (more than 700 thousands people over there and 20 thousands rounds fireworks: the record in Japan 100thousands rounds/night in PL festival in Osaka).
I checked history and found that fireworks originally developed in China in the 3rd century AD, delivered to Europe during 10th century, became prosperous after mid ages. London has become famous for Thames River Fireworks. Also Independence Day in USA fireworks festival became very famous.
It was recorded, in Japan that Hanabi was first introduced by Chinese in 15th century, also later year a few Portuguese and Spanish missionaries displayed before big loads (Dimyou).
In Edo-era after War-age 17th century instead of using gunpowder for fire arm it began to be able to use for fireworks intensively, so fireworks festivals became popular. But Tokugawa Government allowed fireworks festival only at Sumida-river (Tokugawa Shyogun-Gov. want to control the gun powder???), it was only the place of the fireworks festivals during Edo-era.
At that time there were two famous fireworks producers named TAMAYA and KAGIYA, so elder people still would shout their names when they admired certain beautiful-gorgeous fireworks in the sky, it was like “OTOWAYA!”or “FURUGIYA!” shout when certain actors played well in Kabuki show.
There are very few songs for Hanabí, it is because their so short time of each display, during that time one can not make poem, this I don’t know. Might be to feel mutability (無常)?
YouTube pop song for Hanbi (for younger generation) is below
泣ける曲 花火の夜 best impressed song in japan