Bright Sparkles

Leaf 200 – Reflections

 

Kawase Hasui - Fireworks on the Sumida (c.1930s)

The 5th November in the UK is known as “bonfire night,” and it is the time of year for large public firework displays. Consequently, ever since I was a child, fireworks have always been associated in my mind with the start of winter. Whereas in Japan, ‘Hanabi’ (花火) firework displays are often associated with summer. But whichever season they are staged in, naturally enough, the response and reactions are universally the same.

 

 

Bright sparkles burst –

and ripple out

into soft “Ahhhs.”

 

 

 

Eiichi Kotozuka - Fireworks at Kyoto's Kamo River (c.1950s)