Japanese Fireworks from the 1800s are Poetry in Motion
Initially in orange tones, these 'fire flowers' have taken on increasingly vibrant colours over the years.

© Yokohama City Library
With their corollas and long evanescent tails, these illustrations might be mistaken for abstract reproductions of flowers. In fact, they are Japanese fireworks, or hanabi, the contraction of hana, flower, and bi, fire. As such, one isn’t so different from the other.
These illustrations, dating from the late 19th century, depict the firework designs of two Japanese pyrotechnicians from Yokohama, Yokoi and Hirayama. The latter was a pioneer in Japan in incorporating more vibrant colours into his fireworks, the earliest Japanese fireworks having been mainly in orange tones only.
A national passion
The Yokohama City Library has digitised six of these advertising catalogues to make them available to the general public and possible to download online. The images, the majority of which appear against a black background, come with no explanation apart from the broad categories of motifs: ‘vertical wheels’, ‘phantom circles’, or ‘coloured floral bomb shells.’
The Japanese are big fans of fireworks, which are an important feature in the country every summer. Photographer Hidenobu Suzuki captured this passion for pyrotechnics in close proximity to the pyrotechnicians themselves.
These illustrations of late 19th-century Japanese fireworks can be viewed online on the Yokohama City Library’s website.

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Bibliothèque publique de Yokohama

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library

© Yokohama City Library
TRENDING
-
The Vision of Toshiyuki Inoko, a Founder of teamLab
What exactly is teamLab, known as an art collective? To find out, we interviewed its founder and chief representative, Toshiyuki Inoko.
-
Undiscovered by Tourists: Shibamata, the Hidden Face of Tokyo
Shibamata district, located 20 minutes from Tokyo Skytree by train, is a place that retains its simplicity, charm and history.
-
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.
-
Kiyoshi Awazu’s Psychedelic Prints
During Japan’s post-war decades, the pioneering graphic designer’s vivid abstractions laid foundations for the country’s graphic design.
-
Kishin, Kyoto's King of Breakfast
In this restaurant, chef Atsushi Nakahigashi only serves Kyoto-style meals made from local ingredients, available between 07:30 and 13:30.