Speaking of summer, fireworks! Kid-friendly trivia quizzes and fun facts about fireworks

Because it’s the day marking the origin of fireworks being launched over the Sumida River.

May 28 became Fireworks Day because fireworks were first launched on May 28, 1733, over the Sumida River to ward off epidemics and to console the souls of the dead.

line

Fireworks look round when viewed from above, but from the side they spread out flat, so they appear like thin “lines.” It’s fun how they can look like a completely different shape, isn’t it?

Katakai Festival

The world’s largest aerial firework is launched at the Katakai Festival in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture. It’s called the “Sho Yonshaku-dama” (literally, a true 4-shaku shell). It has been recognized by Guinness World Records.

To let people far away know that the festival has begun

When fireworks first began to be used, they served to notify people far away of the start of festivals and events through their sound. For that reason, the loud noise was important as well.

about 300 meters

A large firework called a 10-inch shell is often used at fireworks festivals. This firework rises to about 300 meters before it bursts. That’s roughly the height of a 90-story building. By going up so high, the large, beautiful fireworks can be seen from a wide area.

Because they were calling the name of a famous fireworks master

“Tamaya” and “Kagiya” are the names of famous fireworks artisans from the Edo period. The custom originated from shouting the artisans’ names as cheers to praise them for launching beautiful fireworks.

Heart-shaped

In fact, heart-shaped fireworks are created through the ingenuity of skilled artisans and can be seen at fireworks festivals. However, fish-shaped or bicycle-shaped fireworks are extremely difficult to realize and, until now, have never been launched.