Shiragiku – The White Chrysanthemum Fireworks of Nagaoka
The Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemum) is a solemn white spherical firework, symbolizing remembrance, recovery, and peace, and is one of the iconic fireworks of the Nagaoka Festival.
It was created by legendary Nagaoka hanabi master Seiji Kase to honor his fellow soldiers who perished during his three-year internment in Siberia after World War II.
The first Shiragiku was launched in 1990 over the Amur River in Khabarovsk, Russia, as a heartfelt tribute.
Since 2003, on August 1 at exactly 10:30 p.m.—the time the Nagaoka Air Raid began in 1945—three Shiragiku shells have been launched in silence.
This act honors the 1,488 lives lost, thanks those who rebuilt the city, and prays for lasting peace. Temple bells toll across the city at the same moment.
The Shiragiku also appears on other solemn dates, such as August 15 (end of WWII), December 8 (start of the Pacific War), and March 11 (anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake), as well as at the Honolulu Festival in Hawaii, symbolizing reconciliation and friendship between former wartime enemies.
Distinct from the colorful, rapid-fire “Star Mines,” the Shiragiku opens slowly and gracefully into a perfect white chrysanthemum, then fades quietly—its gentle, slightly wistful bloom reflecting the solemnity of its meaning.
When the “Shiragiku” Blooms in the Sky
The “Shiragiku” blooms in pure white across the night sky — not only at the Nagaoka Festival, but on many occasions of remembrance and prayer.
Three “Shiragiku” blooms rise into the night — one for remembrance of the war’s victims, one for gratitude toward those who rebuilt Nagaoka, and one for prayers for lasting peace.
August 1 – Nagaoka Air Raid Memorial
To honor the victims of the Nagaoka Air Raid, the “Shiragiku” is launched at 10:30 p.m. on August 1, the exact time the bombing began in 1945.
On August 1, 1945, at 10:26 p.m., air raid sirens wailed as 125 B-29 strategic bombers began a massive incendiary attack.
The bomblets fell across the city, igniting the urban area. The bombing lasted until 12:10 a.m. the following day — about one hour and forty minutes — destroying 80% of the city in a single night.
The raid claimed 1,489 lives, including about 300 schoolchildren.
Nagaoka has declared August 1 as the “Day for Everlasting Peace,” aiming to inspire a deeper commitment to peace among its citizens.
Quoted from Ordinance on the Day for Everlasting Peace in Nagaoka City (長岡市恒久平和の日条例)
August 2–3 – Nagaoka Hanabi Festival
Since 2003, the Shiragiku has been launched at the beginning of the fireworks festival.
It was introduced to remind people of the Nagaoka Air Raid and the tragic war, memories of which had begun to fade among the citizens, and to serve as a firework of remembrance.
August 15 – End of WWII
On this day commemorating the end of the war, the Shiragiku is launched in dedication to the spirits of fallen comrades.
December 8 – Start of the Pacific War
December 8 marks the start of the Pacific War.
On this day, the Shiragiku is launched with prayers for the repose of the victims of the Pacific War and for world peace.
Three Messages in the Fireworks
- Repose of the souls of the Pacific War victims (Shiragiku)
- Repose of the souls of victims of war and terrorism (Shiragiku)
- Prayers for world peace (Brocade Crown in gold)
March 11 – Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial
Since 2020, As part of a memorial fireworks event held to honor the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and to pray for recovery, the Shiragiku is launched.
With hearts united with the local community, it is offered like a floral tribute in the night sky of Kamaishi — a day to pray for hope, the future, and loved ones.
Honolulu Festival, Hawaii
Every year, Nagaoka Fireworks are launched at the Honolulu Festival in Hawaii.
The memorial firework Shiragiku launched in Hawaii carries prayers for the victims of both the Pearl Harbor attack and the Nagaoka Air Raid, as well as a wish for world peace.
During the Pacific War, the City of Honolulu suffered the loss of 2,400 lives in the Pearl Harbor attack, led by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was born in Nagaoka. Nagaoka, in turn, lost more than 1,400 lives in a massive U.S. air raid just before the end of the war.
Once enemies who inflicted great losses on each other, Honolulu and Nagaoka now deepen mutual understanding and promote peace through cultural exchange, sharing their message of reconciliation with the world.
Honolulu, Hawaii, and Nagaoka, Niigata, became sister cities on March 2, 2012.
Fireworks Master Seiji Kase on the Appeal of the “Shiragiku”
The late Seiji Kase, a hanabishi (master fireworks maker) from Nagaoka, created the Shiragiku — a unique firework that “rises slowly and opens gently.”
Kase once described its charm as follows:
“I want people to see the way it opens quietly, with a touch of melancholy.”
— Seiji Kase
Just as Master Kase said, watch for the quiet, graceful way it blooms in the night sky.
Today, the Shiragiku is carried on by Akira Kase, the fourth-generation hanabishi of Kase Fireworks, preserving the tradition passed down from his predecessor.
HANABI – Discover the Spirit Behind Nagaoka Firewoks
HANABI — one of Japan’s most beautiful words. We hope it will one day be known worldwide, like “sushi” or “samurai.”
In Japan, fireworks are more than entertainment—they are symbols of summer deeply tied to history, culture, and spirituality. Linked to festivals, they often carry prayers for the souls of the departed, for peace, and for protection from misfortune.
Learn more about the history and spirit of Nagaoka Hanabi in our Nagaoka Hanabi Culture page.
