Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Date: Sat. July 25, 2009
The festival will be cancelled in case of rain.
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Sumida River (at two sites. For details, see the map)

Types of fireworks for launching

Starmine
Rather than a type of firework, the word Starmine refers to technical aspects of launching fireworks. At the same time, it expresses how several varieties of fireworks are launched to create a harmony of colors and shapes.
* The sense and skills of fireworks pyrotechnicians

Warimono
This has the basic structure of a firework. On the inner side of the shell many smaller fireworks known as stars are lined up evenly. These individual fireworks give forth light and open up in the shape of a ball. The closer they are in shape to a perfect circle, the better they are said to be.
* There are a large number of papers for the shell and a large

Pokamono
The shell rises up in the sky and breaks in two, after which the casings and the mechanisms (including parachutes or flags) descend to the ground. When casings are contained, the element of color is added in irregular movements.
* Both the number of papers for the shell and the amount of breaking powder is small.

Han-Warimono
This is a firework containing the characteristics of both the warimono and the pokamono. When it opens up in the air, it is characterized by a delicate coloring and configuration that differs from larger fireworks.
* Fireworks: The product of ideas and technology

Katamono
This is a firework that displays some structure or form when it opens up in the air. Development has continued in the hands of skilled fireworks artisans since the early years of the Meiji Period. Nowadays rather complex forms are possible. Here is a firework that you are almost certain to see at a fireworks festival. The photograph at right shows a "Snail" firework.

Gimmick Fireworks (Shikake-Hanabi)
Bamboo or other materials are used to create a model, after which fireworks are attached to the structure and caused to ignite in a dynamic firework in which the shape is shown in bold relief and brilliant color in the night sky.

Large Shell Firework (Oodama)
As the name indicates, this is a firework that boasts one of the largest sizes among fireworks. Generally those fireworks measuring 5 sun (6.5 inches) (No. 15 Shell) or larger are known as Oodama. The largest such firework, registered in the Guinness Book of Records, was a 4 shaku (approx.11.8 inches) Shell. The locations where such fireworks can be launched are also limited, so they are naturally not found at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

MAP: