{"id":357,"date":"2025-08-16T17:12:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T08:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/?p=357"},"modified":"2025-08-16T18:52:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T09:52:29","slug":"origins-signature-fireworks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/origins-signature-fireworks\/","title":{"rendered":"Nagaoka Hanabi\u2019s Origins and Its Signature Fireworks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nagaoka Hanabi\u2019s Origins and Its Signature Fireworks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The history of Nagaoka Hanabi has been defined by its signature fireworks, each creating a unique identity for the festival. The <b><a href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/sho-sanjaku-dama\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"214\">Sh\u014d-Sanjakudama<\/a> (3-foot shell)<\/b>, first launched in 1926, the <b><a href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/shiragiku\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"192\">Shiragiku<\/a> (White Chrysanthemum)<\/b> created as a postwar memorial, and the <b>Phoenix<\/b>, symbolizing recovery and peace\u2014each debut carries the weight of Nagaoka\u2019s history and prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article explores when these iconic fireworks were first launched and the origins behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Sh\u014d-Sanjakudama (3-foot shell) \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>1926 :<\/b> First launch by Shigeji Nakagawa (Nagahara Village, Nagaoka).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>1951 :<\/b> First postwar launch by Seiki &amp; Seiji Kase (Kase Fireworks).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201cSho-Sanjaku-dama\u201d was first launched in 1926 by master firework maker Shigeji Nakagawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"--the-icon-svg: url(data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjFlbSIgd2lkdGg9IjFlbSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiBhcmlhLWhpZGRlbj0idHJ1ZSIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDQ4IDQ4Ij48cGF0aCBkPSJtMzMgMjUuMS0xMy4xIDEzYy0uOC44LTIgLjgtMi44IDAtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOEwyOC40IDI0IDE3LjEgMTIuN2MtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOC44LS44IDItLjggMi44IDBsMTMuMSAxM2MuNi42LjYgMS42IDAgMi4yeiI+PC9wYXRoPjwvc3ZnPg==)\" data-icon=\"LsChevronRight\" data-id=\"153\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"swl-inline-icon\">\u2003<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/sho-sanjaku-dama\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"214\">Discover the Sho-Sanjaku-dama\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\"><b>Niagara Falls \u2013 First Launched<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>1953 :<\/b>  First introduced as a large-scale Niagara display on the Ch\u014dsei Bridge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>1987 :<\/b> Expanded to the \u014cte\u014d Bridge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since then, the Niagara fireworks have become a festival highlight, offering distinct performances across the two bridges spanning the Shinano River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"--the-icon-svg: url(data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjFlbSIgd2lkdGg9IjFlbSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiBhcmlhLWhpZGRlbj0idHJ1ZSIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDQ4IDQ4Ij48cGF0aCBkPSJtMzMgMjUuMS0xMy4xIDEzYy0uOC44LTIgLjgtMi44IDAtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOEwyOC40IDI0IDE3LjEgMTIuN2MtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOC44LS44IDItLjggMi44IDBsMTMuMSAxM2MuNi42LjYgMS42IDAgMi4yeiI+PC9wYXRoPjwvc3ZnPg==)\" data-icon=\"LsChevronRight\" data-id=\"153\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"swl-inline-icon\">\u2003<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/niagara-falls\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"315\">Discover the Niagara Falls<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Vesuvius Fireworks \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>1960 :<\/b> Introduced as the \u201cnew face of the fireworks industry.\u201d Named after Mount Vesuvius in Naples, it featured effects that <b>erupted like a volcanic explosion<\/b>, making it a striking innovation in the Nagaoka Hanabi program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Sanjaku Gosun-dama (3.5-shaku shell) \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>1983 :<\/b> A special 3.5-shaku shell titled <em>\u201cNobori Kyokud\u014d-tsuki \u014cgon Sudare Kowari-ukimoy\u014d\u201d<\/em> was launched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s largest firework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although it was a one-time-only launch, it remains a remarkable milestone in the history of Nagaoka Hanabi.istory of Nagaoka Hanabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Shakudama Rapid Fire \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>1986 :<\/b> First introduced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nagaoka\u2019s city status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>2006 :<\/b> Shakudama 100-Rapid Fire for the 100th Anniversary of Nagaoka\u2019s City Status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the wide-screen method, 10-inch shells were launched at roughly one-second intervals, beginning as the <b>\u201cShakudama 80-Rapid Fire.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the following year onward, one additional shell was added annually, and in <b>2006, for the 100th anniversary of Nagaoka\u2019s city status, it reached 100 consecutive shells.<\/b> Today, it continues to be one of the signature fireworks of Nagaoka Hanabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Wide Starmine \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>1996 :<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Miracle Starmine \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>1998 :<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\"><b>Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemum) \u2013 First Launched<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>2003 :<\/b> Created and launched by Seiji Kase as a memorial firework to honor the war victims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"--the-icon-svg: url(data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjFlbSIgd2lkdGg9IjFlbSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiBhcmlhLWhpZGRlbj0idHJ1ZSIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDQ4IDQ4Ij48cGF0aCBkPSJtMzMgMjUuMS0xMy4xIDEzYy0uOC44LTIgLjgtMi44IDAtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOEwyOC40IDI0IDE3LjEgMTIuN2MtLjgtLjgtLjgtMiAwLTIuOC44LS44IDItLjggMi44IDBsMTMuMSAxM2MuNi42LjYgMS42IDAgMi4yeiI+PC9wYXRoPjwvc3ZnPg==)\" data-icon=\"LsChevronRight\" data-id=\"105\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"swl-inline-icon\">\u2003<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/shiragiku\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"192\">Discover the Shiraguki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\"><b>Phoenix Fireworks \u2013 First Launched<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>2005 :<\/b> Debuted to pray for recovery after the Chuetsu Earthquake, symbolizing hope and peace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Tenchi-jin Fireworks \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>2009 :<\/b> Introduced to commemorate the NHK historical drama <em>\u201cTenchi-jin.\u201d<\/em><br>The program honored <b>Naoe Kanetsugu<\/b>, a warlord connected to Nagaoka, and expressed the drama\u2019s spirit through synchronized fireworks to the theme music.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sequence of massive shells, shifting lights, and vibrant colors symbolized the valor of the Sengoku era and Kanetsugu\u2019s ideals of <b>\u201cLove\u201d and \u201cLoyalty.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">Kono Sora no Hana  \u2013 First Launched<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>2012 :<\/b> First introduced to commemorate the release of the film <em>\u201cKono Sora no Hana \u2013 Nagaoka Fireworks Story\u201d<\/em> directed by Nobuhiko \u014cbayashi. The program reflected the movie\u2019s themes of remembrance of the 1945 Nagaoka Air Raid, peace, and renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In times of war, more bombs have been made than fireworks.<br>Even today, the world holds more bombs than fireworks.<br>Yet with the same gunpowder, we have a choice: let us create fireworks, not bombs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading u-mb-ctrl u-mb-10\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The origins of Nagaoka Hanabi\u2019s signature fireworks introduced in this article are based on the official record <em>\u201cEnka Mokuroku (Fireworks Catalogue)\u201d<\/em> and compiled by <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/hanabi-timeline\/\">Nagaoka Hanabi Dot Com \u2013 <em>History Timeline of Nagaoka Fireworks<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nagaoka Hanabi\u2019s Origins and Its Signature Fireworks The history of Nagaoka Hanabi has been defined by its sig [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":359,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nagaoka-hanabi-history-culture","category-signature-fireworks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":367,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions\/367"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagaokahanabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}