A Visit to the Katakai Fireworks: A Festival Deeply Rooted in the Local Community

The 1.2-meter firework launched on September 14 was the biggest blast of this year’s festivities. (Courtesy Ojiya municipal government)

The fireworks banzuke shares information on the full program with all visitors. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

A newspaper-style banzuke is also on sale for visitors to take home. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Ichikawa Hideo displays a photo of his mother, Emiko, with her entire family. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Worshippers visit the Asahara Shrine during the festival. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Festival seating is set up in an open field near the launch site. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

The “star mine” lights up the sky in honor of the newly minted adults. (Courtesy Ojiya municipal government)

A worker at Katakai Fireworks makes the “stars” that glitter after the detonation of a major firework. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Multiple layers of paper are applied to the outside of each firework to make them sturdier for launch. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

The massive launch tubes used for the 90- and 120-centimeter behemoths. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Procession participants play music as they walk through town. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Young people take part in the tsutsu-hiki ceremony. (Courtesy Ojiya municipal government)

Fireworks viewed from the Asahara Shrine. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

The community’s 20-year-olds in the seijin tama-okuri. (Courtesy Ojiya municipal government)

Youngsters also play their part in the tama-okuri. (© Shinohara Tadashi)

Festival stalls line the lively streets. (© Shinohara Tadashi)