Four Seasons in Japan: fireworks festivals (1)

Fireworks festivals are held throughout Japan in summer. Many young women in yukata(casual summer kimono) enjoy firework displays.

Fireworks festivals in Japan (Japanese version only):
http://hanabi.walkerplus.com/
http://travel.goo.ne.jp/season/hanabi/
http://smile-hanabi.jp/area_search.php?input_kaisai_flg=1&input_walk=0&input_hitode=0&input_free=0&input_season=5&area=0&input_sort=2

Japan's oldest fireworks festival was held along the Sumida River in 1733 as part of a ceremony to pray for the victims of the great famine in 1732 and to drive away the evil disease.

Japanese round shell(traditional type) has the following three characteristics.
　　　
1.　Bursts(blooms) into circles or globe shapes, spread colorful traces(petals) all around.
2.　Changes colors of stars.
3.　Bursts(blooms) into single, double or triple layered concentric globe.

For more information about the features of Japanese fireworks at http://ichinen-fourseasonsinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/09/fireworks-festivals.html

fireworks and Tokyo Skytree

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival was held at two venues along the Sumida River on July 27, but sudden heavy downpour washed out the festival at 30 minutes into the festival.

The festival dates back to 1733. It was suspended for some period in the past.
The river is surrounded by an overcrowded area, so the size of shells are restricted.
A fireworks competition is also held at the 1st venue.
This festival is broadcast live every year.
After the fireworks display, pyrotechnicians drop down the Sumida River waving lights.
Many people in buildings along the river wave their penlights, saying "Thank you!" or "You did a fine job!"

This year, TV personalities were absolutely soaked to the skin. The downpour soaked many audience members in yukata. The fireworks competition was not held.

photo by 高画質壁紙写真集無料壁紙

The Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Festival (長岡まつり大花火大会)
Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture
August 2-3, 19:25～21:10
20,000 fireworks per day

It's one of the largest fireworks festivals in Japan. The festival started to offer prayers for the Nagaoka air-raid victims.
The festival reminds me of a torn paper collage named "Nagaoka no Hanabi(fireworks in Nagaoka)" by Kiyoshi Yamashita(山下清, 1922-1971). He is a famous Japanese painter.
He had a mild speech impediment and a mild intellectual disability.
He is famous for his wanderings throughout Japan. However, he didn't produce images while traveling. He created his works based only on his memories after returning from his wanderings. He is often considered an autistic savant.