Over 100 Japanese Firework Illustrations
Six catalogues dating from the late 19th century, digitised and made available online, compile a multitude of illustrations of fireworks.
Illustrated catalogue of day light. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
Six catalogues dating from the late 19th century have been digitised and made available online and feature a multitude of sparkling firework illustrations. The burgeoning fireworks industry, determined to find its place in the foreign market, had to find a way to share its products despite the language barrier. Although over one hundred products were available, the language barrier made it impossible to describe the beauty and diversity of the fireworks. Illustrations were the appropriate solution to represent these luminous works of art. First used for commercial purposes, the catalogues are now perused purely for the pleasure of admiring the multitude of shapes born from the imagination of pyrotechnists.
Illustrated catalogue of garden & lawn pieces of the Hirayama Fireworks. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
Illustrated catalogue of night bomb shells. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
Illustrated catalogue of day light bomb shells. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
Illustrated catalogue of day light. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
Illustrated catalogue of day light. Courtesy of Yokohama City Central Library
TRENDING
-
A Child's Snowy Quest to Find his Father
The silent film ‘The Night I Swam’ follows the journey of Takara, a young boy alone in an adult world he is yet to understand.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
Iñigo Gutierrez's Calligraphic Illustrations
Inspired by ‘shodo’, Japanese calligraphy, the Spanish artist who now lives in Tokyo conveys a certain nostalgia in his work.
-
Celebrating Nature Through Cuisine in ‘Wild Herbs’
In this book, Michelin-starred chef Hisao Nakahigashi reflects on his childhood memories, his philosophy of cooking, and shares his recipes.
-
Old Age Unveiled in the Illustrated Book ‘Otoshiyori’
In this book that's like a travel journal created in a land of seniors, illustrator Isabelle Boinot depicts the daily lives of the elderly.
