Yokohama Fireworks Hanabi 2008!
July 22, 2008 · Print This Article
Hanabi is a Japanese word that means fireworks display viewing. Donning a yukata for the first time, I went to Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan with Aya for some mid-summer hanabi action. Back on Friday, Aya helped me go yukata shopping, selecting a nice navy blue one. She donned a deep purple yukata hand-sewn by her mother for her. It is traditional to wear yukata to hanabi and other Japanese summer festivals. How does it feel to wear a yukata? A little restricting and a bit hot, but it felt good to have my attire contribute to the overall festive atmosphere.
Getting a choice spot for hanabi would have required arriving at iPhone waiting type times, so all things considered, we thought we had found ourselves a pretty good spot to spread the Big Agnes Seedhouse footprint. Then we realized a large tree would be obstructing a good part, if not all, of our view. It turned out to be only a partial obstruction, with low fireworks totally visible.
Thanks to people leaving early, we were able to spread out the footprint so we could lay down, which greatly added to our enjoyment. From that point on we just stretched out and enjoyed seeing some unique fireworks. For example, some exploded to form hearts and smiley faces! (see video below)
And the crowds were not as bad as I was expecting. We were able to get back to the train station fairly quickly and got on the very next departing train. I do have to say though that we were constantly assaulted by smokers, which happens pretty much in any public place in Japan, especially at large public gatherings.
Still we were very excited about wearing yukata together and pledged to go to at least one more hanabi, if not multiple summer festivals as well.
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VIDEO:
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Nice photos, despite- or perhaps because of- the tree.
Yukata! Never worn one myself.
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Thanks Mike. Yeah, the tree blocked our view, but added a bit to some of the photos, maybe.
I didn’t write much about how wearing a yukata feels because that will be part of a future post showing how to put one on.
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Somehow I never would have imagined that you would wear a yukata!
I think Aya means smiley face, not just smile, though I have trouble seeing it as well.
Kumi and I went to that same festival last year, I ran into Yoshio and Kerry by chance!
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 25th, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Yeah, I would have thought the same thing about me wearing a yukata just a few weeks ago, but all of a sudden I get these ideas in my head that can’t be stopped!
Yeah, it did look like an actual smiley face if you watched the video in slow-mo. There was a heart and also some other pear shape or babba-pappa shaped thing too.
Wow, crazy to run into other people you know at an event like that, but I did feel it wasn’t that, that crowded, at least compared to the chaos of the Sumida-gawa fireworks display.
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Those are really good pictures. The tree actually makes the pictures better. I’ve never been to a summer festival in Japan but I expect to do it someday with the family.
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 26th, 2008 at 2:23 AM
Thanks tornadoes, I now realize that tree blocking our view was a blessing in disguise! I guess most fireworks photos are just of them alone, with no framing.
Summer festivals are my favorite Japanese tradition, if that’s the right term. I like them even more than hanami (cherry blossom) time.
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“Assaulted by smokers….”
You’re soft.
And you’re double-soft because your website won’t let me call you a *****.
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 28th, 2008 at 12:27 AM
I don’t see how it is being soft having my civil rights violated by weak, addicted people who are taking my choice away to be healthy and smoke free.
And yes, there are banned words on my comments as I would like them to remain civil and family-friendly, to a degree.
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Jason, I want more photos of the yukatas! (Especially Aya’s. Her mother made it herself, you say?)
g
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 28th, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Hi Genny,
Thanks for the comment.
There are two more true photos of me in my yukata in my apartment, but alas no more yet of Aya’s handmade yukata (yes, handmade by her mother about 15 years ago). We will for sure take more high quality photos before the summer’s out!
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I like photos and video. Yes, the tree wasn’t bad.
My photos are also nice dayo!
Are you going to wear yukata again? we should check a festival near your apt.
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Jason Collin Reply:
July 28th, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Thanks Aya!
Yes, your photos are very good too! As soon as you can get them to me I will add them to the photo gallery on this page.
Yes, I want to wear a yukata with you again soon!
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