Memoirs of a Lost Gaijin

The Japanese word for fireworks is hanabi, which literally means "fire flower" based on the kanji. This photo captures the essence of the origin of the term. Huge fireworks displays are a Japanese tradition during the summer months. There is a display somewhere every weekend in July and August. I'm told the tradition orginated in 1733 because of the poor harvest and epidemic. The 8th Shogun fireworks to get rid of the bad spirits and pay respect for the 1,000,000 dead (thanks Satoshi!). And it lives on, quite vividly. This is the Sumida River Fireworks display (墨田川花火大会), held over the Sumida River near the Asakusa district of Tokyo.