What is the exact origin of Japanese fireworks festivals? Are they related to historical famines, plagues, or memorial ceremonies?

Hello! That's an excellent question you asked. Many people think summer fireworks festivals are just about fun and excitement, but they actually have a rather heavy yet hopeful history behind them.

You guessed right. The origin of Japanese fireworks festivals (Hanabi Taikai) is indeed directly and profoundly linked to historical famines, plagues, and memorial ceremonies.

Let me walk you through this story, keeping it as straightforward as possible.

The Beginning: Memorial Flames over the Sumida River

Let's rewind to the Edo period, specifically 1733 (Kyōhō 18).

That year, Japan suffered a terrible disaster known as the Kyōhō Great Famine. Abnormal weather and pest infestations caused severe crop failures, leading countless people to starve to death. Making matters worse, a large-scale plague (believed to be cholera) broke out after the famine, causing the death toll to skyrocket. The entire city of Edo (present-day Tokyo) was shrouded in deep sorrow.

The ruler at the time was the eighth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Yoshimune. Faced with such devastation, he was deeply concerned. To calm the people and console the countless souls lost in the disaster, he made a decision.

On May 28, 1733 (old calendar), Tokugawa Yoshimune ordered a "Water God Festival" (Suijin-sai) to be held on the Sumida River (then called the Ryōgoku River) in Edo.

This festival had two core purposes:

Console the Souls (慰灵, Irei): To mourn and appease the souls of the millions who died from famine and plague.
Expel Evil Epidemics (悪疫退散, Akueki Taisan): To pray to the gods to drive away the plague and end the disaster swiftly.

The most important event of this festival was the firing of 20 fireworks near the Ryōgoku Bridge. This is widely recognized as Japan's first public fireworks display with the explicit purpose of memorializing the dead. It is the direct predecessor of the now-famous "Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival."

Therefore, the original fireworks were not for celebration, but for mourning. Each "flower of fire" blooming in the night sky carried grief for the departed and blessings for the living.

When Did Fireworks Themselves Arrive in Japan?

Of course, firework technology itself didn't appear only in 1733.

Introduction Period: Firework technology arrived in Japan around the late 16th to early 17th century, likely through trade (sources mention Portuguese, English, or direct introduction from China).
Early Use: Initially, fireworks were a rare novelty. Only the shogun and powerful feudal lords (daimyō) had the privilege and wealth to view them; they were exclusive entertainment for the ruling class. It's said the first shogun to see fireworks was Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Tokugawa Yoshimune's innovation was that he used this aristocratic entertainment for the first time in a public, religious, and folk ritual context, allowing ordinary citizens to participate, thus founding the "fireworks festival" tradition.

The Evolution from "Memorial" to "Entertainment"

The memorial fireworks over the Sumida River became immensely popular and were subsequently established as a traditional event for "Kawabiraki" (River Opening Festival), marking the start of summer when people could enjoy cool boat rides on the river.

As time passed, Edo society gradually stabilized and prospered, and the shadows of famine and plague faded. The "memorial" aspect of the fireworks festivals diminished, while their "entertainment" and "festival" aspects grew stronger.

Pyrotechnician Rivalry: Two famous fireworks houses emerged – "Kagiya" and "Tamaya". They competed fiercely ("battled") from opposite banks of the Sumida River, each trying to outdo the other with more beautiful and spectacular displays. Spectators on boats would shout "Kagiya~!" or "Tamaya~!" to cheer for their favorite pyrotechnician. This tradition of shouting names can still be heard in some parts of Japan today, becoming a unique cultural symbol.
Nationwide Spread: This format quickly spread throughout Japan, merging with local summer festivals and Obon (Japan's "Ghost Festival," also a time to honor ancestors), evolving into the diverse array of fireworks festivals we see today.

To Summarize Your Questions:

What is the exact origin of Japanese fireworks festivals? Its direct origin is the Water God Festival held in 1733 on the Sumida River by Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, aimed at "consoling souls" and "expelling plague." This was Japan's first use of fireworks in a large-scale public memorial ceremony.
Is it related to historical famine, plague, or memorial ceremonies? Yes, and it's a direct relationship. Precisely because of the Kyōhō Great Famine and the ensuing plague that caused massive deaths, this "memorial fireworks" event, primarily intended to appease the souls of the dead, came into being.

So, the next time you admire the dazzling Japanese night sky, remember that these beautiful "flowers of fire" were originally a beam of hope lit over three hundred years ago to console the departed and pray for peace. While they now primarily represent summer joy, the compassion and prayers embedded deep within their history add a profound weight and meaning to their beauty.