Summer is fireworks season. For centuries, Japanese have been fascinated by this spectacle of lights called "hanabi," which literally means "fire flowers."
These days, hundreds of fireworks festivals, both large and small, take place across the country every summer and thousands of spectators come to observe the magical art of lights that brighten the evening skies.
Meanwhile, there are the consumer fireworks — categorized as "toy fireworks" — sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and toy shops that often become part of the summer activities among families and friends.