Night Shells: The History and Art of Japanese Fireworks

With a history dating back to the sixteenth century, traditional Japanese fireworks are among some of the most beautiful in the world. In Japan, fireworks are more than crowd-pleasing explosives; pyrotechny is regarded as an artisan craft that showcases the meeting point of the arts and sciences in a stunning display of light and sound.

The History and Art of japanese fireworks

Fireworks trace their origins to ancient China, around 200 BCE, when the Chinese first discovered that bamboo could explode when thrown into a fire. The hollow air pockets in bamboo would heat up, expand, and eventually burst, creating a loud bang. The sound was thought to ward off evil spirits and was used to celebrate major events.

In the 9th century, Chinese alchemists inadvertently created gunpowder by mixing saltpeter (potassium nitrate) with sulfur and charcoal. This combination, initially aimed at creating a potion for immortality, resulted in an explosive powder instead. When this gunpowder was placed inside bamboo tubes and lit, it produced an bright explosion similar to those we see in modern pyrotechnics.

Japanese Fireworks

Fireworks were first introduced to Japan in the 16th century through European traders. In Japan, fireworks are a cherished tradition called hanabi (花火), meaning ‘flower fire’. They were used primarily by the ruling classes in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to display power and wealth, before becoming accessible for festivals, holidays, and gatherings, and were even used to honour the dead.

In Japanese culture, hanabi is more than a simple spectacle; it’s considered a delicate art form. Japanese fireworks artisans, called hanabi-shi (firework master), are highly trained in the meticulous craft of pyrotechnics. They follow a strict set of traditional techniques, many of which are passed down through generations. Each firework is carefully crafted by hand, with attention to balance, shape, and timing, ensuring that each display explodes in the sky with a sense of harmony and beauty.

The following illustrations from a Japanese fireworks company, Hirayama Fireworks, date back to 1877 and shows a collection of available fireworks on a series of beautifully coloured plates.

Night Shells

Page from a catalogue of Japanese fireworks showing thumbails of different coloured fireworks set against a black background on a cream page
Illustration of a red and blue japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red, yellow, and blue japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red, white, and orange japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red and blue japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red, white, yellow, and blue japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red, white, and orange japanese firework against a black background
Illustration of a red, white, and blue japanese firework against a black background

Daylight bombshells

Along with those commonly seen in the night skies (night shells), it also features fireworks available in daylight (daylight bombshells). Instead of traditional pyrotechnic effects, the daytime fireworks contain the balloon as an animal, human figure, or other form, which becomes inflated as explodes, and then falls and remains in the air. Other daylight effects are coloured clouds formed by coloured powder, distributed by the bursting of the shall, showers of streamers, confetti, and toys

Page from a catalogue of Japanese fireworks showing thumbails of different coloured fireworks set against a blue background on a cream page
Man riding a turtle from a Japanese firework catalogue
Japanese dragon firework from a Japanese firework catalogue
Japanese fish firework from a Japanese firework catalogue
Frog firework from a Japanese firework catalogue
Japanese lady firework from a Japanese firework catalogue

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