By: Alex
Among Japan’s summer festivals, the Tennoen Festival in Toyohashi is quite unique. The festival takes place within the grounds of Yoshida Shrine in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. Male parishioners (ujiko) load gunpowder into bamboo tubes about one meter long with their centers hollowed out, then wrap the outside of the tubes with straw ropes. Once lit, the bamboo tubes shoot fireworks up to 10 meters high—while the men continue to hold the tubes tightly, allowing the firework debris to rain down on themselves. In the end, the base of the bamboo tube bursts under high pressure with a thunderous boom that’s truly breathtaking.
▲ Odori Natsu Matsuri in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (photo by makky_photo @Twitter)
Yoshida Shrine is the birthplace of the hand-held tube fireworks, with a history dating back an estimated 450 years. This ritual originated from the legend of using fire to drive away evil spirits. Later, local residents began using hand-held tube fireworks to worship the deities, praying for bountiful harvests, peace, and prosperity for future generations. Unlike conventional fireworks created and launched by professional pyrotechnicians, the making and ignition of hand-held tube fireworks are entirely managed by male parishioners selected by the shrine. They spend two months in preparation, including cutting the bamboo tubes and filling them with gunpowder. Additionally, launching the fireworks serves as a test of courage for young participants.
▲ Yoshida Shrine (photo by kirakira_yuka0712 @IG)
The Tennoen Festival in Toyohashi was just held last Friday (July 19), featuring approximately 350 hand-held tube fireworks. Similar ceremonies can be seen during the Ennō Matsuri in early September and the Haneda Matsuri in early October. In fact, hand-held tube fireworks have now spread across Japan, appearing at various summer festivals nationwide. For example, in Tsukiji (note: the new site of the Tsukiji Fish Market) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, the fireworks are combined with taiko drum performances, creating an atmosphere distinct from regular fireworks displays and rich in traditional Japanese charm.
▲ (photo by syouta0002 @Twitter)
▲ (photo by syouta0002 @Twitter)
▲ Yoshida Castle Iron Turret (photo by jigurohiro @IG)
▲ (photo by _road_to_sky_ @IG)
▲ Yoshida Shrine in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture (photo by planetx44 @IG)
▲ Tsushima Shrine in Kakegawa City, Aichi Prefecture (photo by susu.kou @IG)
▲ Tsushima Shrine in Kakegawa City, Aichi Prefecture (photo by susu.kou @IG)
▲ Nara (photo by kosa_photo @IG)
▲ Odori Natsu Matsuri in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (photo by Yuji_48 @Twitter)
▲ Enshu Tehonka Fireworks Society in Shizuoka Prefecture (photo by makky_photo @Twitter)
▲ Odori Natsu Matsuri in Yaizu City (photo by makky_photo @Twitter)
▲ Yoshida Castle (photo by _road_to_sky_ @IG)
Sources: PR Times, Hanabi Taikai 2019, Toyohashi Tourism Guide