TommyT Report This Comment Date: February 03, 2006 08:39AM
NAGAOKA SUMMER FESTIVAL
Origins of the Nagaoka Summer Festival
August 1, 1945 was a sad and distressing day Nagaokans can never forget.
Approximately 126 B-29 bombers bombed Nagaoka for one hour and 40 minutes,
starting at 10:26 p.m. The air raid turned most of the city into a deluge of
fire. It claimed about 1,460 lives, and nearly 60,000 people lost their
homes.
In 1946, the city designated August 1 as a day to commemorate the rebirth of the
city. In 1951, the day was chosen as Nagaoka’s Festival Day. On August 2 and
3, Japan’s largest scale fireworks show is held along the banks of the
Shinano as a reminder of the people who lost their lives during the air raid.
To the people of Nagaoka, the city’s annual fireworks show is a symbol of
peace and an expression of enthusiasm for Japan’s postwar reconstruction.
Special Features of Nagaoka’s Fireworks
One of the distinguishing features of Nagaoka’s fireworks is their unique
size. There are famous fireworks in various parts of Japan, but Nagaoka’s
fireworks are known as the largest in size and as the most dynamic event. The
variations of color and brightness exhibited are the most beautiful and the
overall production is considered the best in Japan in both quality and
quantity.
The magnificent fireworks are composed of hundreds of little stars. The
fireworks expert has to pay careful attention to each of these stars. By doing
so, exquisite harmony and variations have been produced. By combining the
various parts-the splendor of the stamen, the sky-piercing booms, he weaving of
light and sound,-an art of the highest dimension is produced.
Since the fireworks in Japan are the most beautiful in the world, we can easily
say that Nagaoka’s fireworks are the best in the world. It was Nagaoka
pyrotechnists who joined in the Japan Day activities at the Louisiana World
Exposition in New Orleans, U.S.A. in 1984, and who played a principal role in
the closing ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympic Games that same year.
To celebrate America’s Independence Day and the 150th anniversary of the
foundation of Fort Worth City, Nagaoka’s fireworks adorned the night sky of
Fort Worth, Texas U.S.A., Nagaoka’s sister city, in 1994 and 1999
respectively. The rings of friendship binding Fort Worth and Nagaoka may have
been strengthened in the hearts of spectators.
Musha Gyoretsu, The Samurai Warriors’ Parade
Nagaoka’s musha gyoretsu (a samurai warriors’ parade) which is held on
August 2nd every year during the Nagaoka Festival, started in 1986 in
commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the city’s modern municipality.
The parade takes place in order to reminisce over the history of Nagaoka, once a
castle town, and its predecessors’ teaching including the philosophy derived
from a historical anecdote, “100 Sacks of Rice”. The parade also symbolizes
the citizens’ ever lasting commitment to the peace of the world.
The procession represents a scene of going to war led by the Lord Tadakuni
Makino, the 12th generation leader of the Nagaoka Domain, and his followers
during the Boshin Civil War which broke out in the Nagaoka area in 1868.
The units of warriors clad in war attire, including helmets and armor,
participate in the procession from various parts of the city and march in a
parade on Ote Street, the city’s main street.
The precession usually consists of approximately 490 people in 15 units
including city council members, college students, company employees, and many
citizens.
From Home page of Nagaoka city office.
English page's top : [
www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp]