The world largest fireworks display at Katakai

My summer has gone with thousands of sparkles of fireworks display and people’s prayers for their beloved ones.  This summer was very hot and long for me but I had a very good finale.

I went to Katakai in Niigata prefecture to see the world largest fireworks display.    Katakai’s fireworks display has 400 years of history and it’s known as the first place where they set off 3-shaku dama (90cm in diameter) fireworks.  Beside, in 1985, they successfully shot off a 4-shaku dama (120cm in diameter) fireworks for the very first time in the world.

I was amazed that they set off tons of shaku dama size fireworks back-to-back.  And my excitement went to the climax when I saw my dream 4-shaku dama fireworks at the end of the festival.  It lifted off higher and higher into the night sky and exploded with a huge sound that even shook the ground.  It was more like a rocket rather than fireworks.

What makes Katakai different from other fireworks display is not just how big the festival is.  A very unique thing of Katakai is that each firework is dedicated to the local shrine by residents with their variety of prayers.  Finance-wise, it is an independent event and village people themselves foot the bill.

Prayers may go to celebrate birth of a baby, marriage, longevity, or to commemorate family members.  There are announcements of their own message before setting up their fireworks.  It’s like this: Father, your grandson, Shota is now becoming 3 year old. He is a very good boy. We hope you watch his growth and the fireworks that we shoot with our love to you.

It’s very human and sometimes touching.  We looked up the sky, which illumination and people’s thought spread beautifully. 

They carefully set the world largest 4-shaku dama fireworks (1.2m in diameter, weight 420 kg)  into the iron tube, which is 5.2m.  

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