Fireworks are synonymous with Japanese summers, evoking a sense of nostalgia. As the season approaches, many of us start to think, "I want to do fireworks this year," or "When's the next fireworks festival?" Personally, I played with fireworks a lot as a child, and even when my own kids were in elementary school, we often enjoyed them right outside our house.
I love both the grand displays of skyrocketing fireworks and the hand-held ones that bring people together, but my favorite by far is the delicate senko hanabi (sparkler). So, when I heard there’s a workshop where you can make your own senko hanabi, I couldn’t resist!
The surprise of “Wait, I can make my own senko hanabi?” and my love for hands-on workshops quickly ignited my curiosity. I arranged a time and visited Wakamatsuya to experience the art of making these traditional sparklers.
Did You Know Fireworks Are Made Entirely by Hand?
The primary material for fireworks is gunpowder, and the beauty of fireworks lies in watching this gunpowder burn and burst into colorful displays.
At the entrance to the fireworks workshop, there are anti-static mats to ensure safety, as even the smallest spark of static electricity could ignite the gunpowder. Because of this, there is a clear risk in using machines—fireworks production is entirely done by hand!
It might seem obvious once you consider the materials, but had you ever thought that fireworks were handmade? Every single piece, right down to the packaging, is meticulously crafted by hand. I briefly wondered if at least the packaging might be done by machine—but of course not!
Though the shape and method have evolved, gunpowder remains gunpowder. That’s why the process is all manual. The fun we enjoy during summer nights is the result of skilled artisans creating each piece with care.
Looking back, I now want to tell my younger self, who played with fireworks without much thought, to cherish those moments more!
Trying My Hand at Senko Hanabi Craftsmanship: Simple, Yet Deeply Intricate
The materials are simple: gunpowder and paper. That’s it.
Wait, really? Yes! When you think about it, senko hanabi is just gunpowder wrapped in twisted paper. Despite my love for senko hanabi, I never thought about it in this much detail—until now.
The process involves wrapping gunpowder in the paper, shaping it into the traditional sparkler form. From crafting the senko hanabi to testing how it burns, the entire workshop takes about 30 minutes.
First, Practice Shaping the Paper
The yellow part of the paper will hold the gunpowder, and the pink section is where you’ll hold the sparkler. With the yellow side facing your dominant hand, pick up the bottom corner and fold it diagonally toward the top corner. This creates a pocket for the gunpowder, and the fold should be along the color boundary.
Using your dominant hand, pinch the yellow tip and, with your other hand, hold near the yellow-pink boundary. Twist the yellow tip to start forming the sparkler’s shape, which requires a bit of decisiveness.
While the editor managed to do this smoothly, I struggled. Why does this happen? Apparently, personality can show in how you make these! Crafting senko hanabi reveals a lot about a person’s character, I’m told.
Once you’ve twisted the yellow part, adjust your hand movements to shape the paper into the recognizable form of a senko hanabi.
Look at this! After a rough start, I finally got it! I’m so happy—it’s fun already! Anyone who enjoys hands-on work will love this.
Now, Time for the Real Deal!
The tool used to scoop gunpowder is like a long, thin spoon. You scoop the gunpowder and use a stick attached to the container to level it off, then place the measured gunpowder onto the paper.
Just like in practice, you twist the yellow end to form the sparkler, but it’s more challenging now that there’s gunpowder inside! As someone who’s not the most dexterous, I ended up spilling some gunpowder.
It’s okay to spill a bit on the table, and you can easily wash it off your hands. However, you should be careful with your clothes, as the fine particles of gunpowder can be difficult to remove.
Look! I did it! From the top down, you can see my practice attempt, the first real sparkler, and the second one. The first one looks pretty good, don’t you think? At least, I think so.
While the process seems simple, the quality is only maintained thanks to the skill of experienced craftsmen. It made me realize that the fleeting beauty of senko hanabi on a summer evening is born from the expert hands of artisans. I’ve grown even fonder of senko hanabi.
In the next installment Vol. 2, I’ll share how the sparklers burned during the test.
Join a Senko Hanabi Workshop!
Please note that the information provided here is as of May 2024, and the events mentioned have already concluded. For the latest updates and future workshop schedules, kindly check the official websites of Wakamatsuya and Monomachi.
At the Monomachi 2024 event, taking place from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26, you can participate in a senko hanabi workshop hosted by Wakamatsuya, one of Japan’s top fireworks makers.
Monomachi 2024 is a community event held in the southern area of Taito City, Tokyo. Since Wakamatsuya doesn’t typically offer workshops in-store, this is a rare opportunity to experience the craft firsthand.
The workshop costs just 500 yen and takes around 30 minutes, making it a quick and affordable way to experience traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
The senko hanabi workshop is very popular, so it’s recommended to book in advance. Reservations can fill up by the morning, so securing a spot early is a good idea. If you have time to spare before your reservation, you can explore other shops in the area and come back.
In addition to Monomachi 2024, Wakamatsuya is also planning to participate in another event in Suginami on July 27. This might be a great summer activity or even a school project for the kids.
Even though fireworks are such a familiar part of Japanese culture, there’s a lot we don’t know about them. Why not take this opportunity to learn about traditional craftsmanship by making your own senko hanabi?
Click here for a list of "Monomachi 2024" workshops
"Monomachi Official Website"
