Nagaoka Hanabi’s Origins and Its Signature Fireworks
The history of Nagaoka Hanabi has been defined by its signature fireworks, each creating a unique identity for the festival. The Shō-Sanjakudama (3-foot shell), first launched in 1926, the Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemum) created as a postwar memorial, and the Phoenix, symbolizing recovery and peace—each debut carries the weight of Nagaoka’s history and prayers.
This article explores when these iconic fireworks were first launched and the origins behind them.
Shō-Sanjakudama (3-foot shell) – First Launched
- 1926 : First launch by Shigeji Nakagawa (Nagahara Village, Nagaoka).
- 1951 : First postwar launch by Seiki & Seiji Kase (Kase Fireworks).
The “Sho-Sanjaku-dama” was first launched in 1926 by master firework maker Shigeji Nakagawa.
Discover the Sho-Sanjaku-dama’s
Niagara Falls – First Launched
- 1953 : First introduced as a large-scale Niagara display on the Chōsei Bridge.
- 1987 : Expanded to the Ōteō Bridge.
Since then, the Niagara fireworks have become a festival highlight, offering distinct performances across the two bridges spanning the Shinano River.
Vesuvius Fireworks – First Launched
1960 : Introduced as the “new face of the fireworks industry.” Named after Mount Vesuvius in Naples, it featured effects that erupted like a volcanic explosion, making it a striking innovation in the Nagaoka Hanabi program.
Sanjaku Gosun-dama (3.5-shaku shell) – First Launched
1983 : A special 3.5-shaku shell titled “Nobori Kyokudō-tsuki Ōgon Sudare Kowari-ukimoyō” was launched.
Larger than the standard 3-shaku shells, with a diameter of 106 cm and a weight of 400 kg, it was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records at the time as the world’s largest firework.
Although it was a one-time-only launch, it remains a remarkable milestone in the history of Nagaoka Hanabi.istory of Nagaoka Hanabi.
Shakudama Rapid Fire – First Launched
- 1986 : First introduced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nagaoka’s city status.
- 2006 : Shakudama 100-Rapid Fire for the 100th Anniversary of Nagaoka’s City Status
Using the wide-screen method, 10-inch shells were launched at roughly one-second intervals, beginning as the “Shakudama 80-Rapid Fire.”
From the following year onward, one additional shell was added annually, and in 2006, for the 100th anniversary of Nagaoka’s city status, it reached 100 consecutive shells. Today, it continues to be one of the signature fireworks of Nagaoka Hanabi.
Wide Starmine – First Launched
- 1996 :
Miracle Starmine – First Launched
- 1998 :
Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemum) – First Launched
- 2003 : Created and launched by Seiji Kase as a memorial firework to honor the war victims.
Phoenix Fireworks – First Launched
- 2005 : Debuted to pray for recovery after the Chuetsu Earthquake, symbolizing hope and peace.
Tenchi-jin Fireworks – First Launched
- 2009 : Introduced to commemorate the NHK historical drama “Tenchi-jin.”
The program honored Naoe Kanetsugu, a warlord connected to Nagaoka, and expressed the drama’s spirit through synchronized fireworks to the theme music.
A sequence of massive shells, shifting lights, and vibrant colors symbolized the valor of the Sengoku era and Kanetsugu’s ideals of “Love” and “Loyalty.”
Kono Sora no Hana – First Launched
2012 : First introduced to commemorate the release of the film “Kono Sora no Hana – Nagaoka Fireworks Story” directed by Nobuhiko Ōbayashi. The program reflected the movie’s themes of remembrance of the 1945 Nagaoka Air Raid, peace, and renewal.
In times of war, more bombs have been made than fireworks.
Even today, the world holds more bombs than fireworks.
Yet with the same gunpowder, we have a choice: let us create fireworks, not bombs.
References
The origins of Nagaoka Hanabi’s signature fireworks introduced in this article are based on the official record “Enka Mokuroku (Fireworks Catalogue)” and compiled by Nagaoka Hanabi Dot Com – History Timeline of Nagaoka Fireworks.
