A policeman points the way to the end of the parade.

Near NHK Hall, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷区NHKホール

The first one held since 2007. It doesn’t hold a candle to the parades in New York or San Francisco, but it’s something.

Near NHK Hall, Tokyo, Japan

東京都渋谷区NHKホール

On Kamakura-zaimoku beach on a hot, but beautiful summer day.

神奈川県鎌倉材木座海岸ビーチ

Performing live in the rain at the Fuji Rock Festival on August 1, 2010.

Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
新潟県苗場スキー場

Or a rocket launch? Nope, it’s the Sumida River Fireworks display (墨田川花火大会), held over the Sumida River near the Tokyo’s Asakusa. I just happened to catch the “fire flower” (hanabi/花火 in Japanese) before it “blossomed.”

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.

Streaks of brilliant color in the night sky…

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 Tokyo’s Asakusa.

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.

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.

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.

A shower of fireworks…

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.