Today Americans will celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks will b(l)oom on the evening sky all over America. The Japanese word for Fireworks is Hanabi, which literally means "Fireflower". As Gardeners it is not hard to see the resemblance between real flowers and fireflowers - bursting in air:
Some of the shells that will explode look like golden palm trees:
Even though almost every bigger city has a public 4th of July fireworks display, the most impressive shows are in New York City on the East River, The Boston display, and the display over the International Mall in Washington DC. Here you will definitely see some huge "Fireflowers". I wish all my American friends a happy fourth of July!
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12 comments:
Some impressive photography going on here Niels. I especially like the first 2 pictures.
I would like to join you in wishing our American friends a happy 4th July.
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
How very clever -- great shots!
Cool!
Well Niels, thank you very much for your 4th og July tribute to us !!! Also a thanks to Sylvia; possibly one of our long-lost cousins across the pond !!! We´re not always appreciated these days. Niels, you mention "hanabi"... have you ever been to Japan for "hanami" ??? Must add that to your "to do" list someday. Japan is not that expensive to visit, as long as you know where to stay and what to eat.
The resemblande to fireworks is perfect!
The 4th of July was celebrated here in Gothenburg yesterday through a concert by Bruce Springsteen.
/Katarina
If I had to - I would easily trade the flowers for the fireworks. Wonderful photo's
I really like fireflowers! Both those blooming in the garden and on the nightsky. It is easier to take pictures of flowers than fireworks, because taking pictures of fireworks requires a tripod and long exposure time (2-6 seconds).
I sure would love to go to Japan and watch the best fireworks in the world! Amazing quality and the size of the fireflowers are amazing! Aweinspiring and breattaking - some of the best shows in August.
I have heard of Hanami - a great japanese tradition, most know about their love for the cherry trees.
I have quite a few friends in America - I love them very much. And visit them every year.
4th of july is celebrated here in Rebild and Alborg by Americans and
Danes. A springsteen concert must have been great!
Well Niels,
You could combine a trip to Japan to see the cherry/plum blossoms in April and enroll in an ikebana class. Don´t think anybody in Japan would laugh about a man learning to arrange flowers. Funny thing about Japan... as hectic as it can be in the middle of Tokyo, just as serene it can be watching the blossoms or strolling down back alleys on an evening walk.
KLM has flights for about 7,000 kr. to Narita, and I have found pretty many business hotels in Ueno (train goes directly to Ueno from Narita) for about 300-350 kr. Must admit, I miss Japan greatly.
By the way, what parts of the States do you frequent??? I thought your English was too good....!!!
Hi Amy: I am happy to hear that you think my English is too good. I do speak and write English a lot, almost to the point of being accused of speaking Danglish. As you know it is hard to express yourself 100 percent correct in a foreign language. I know you speak Danish -that must have been hard to learn?
I sure will make a "Pilgrimage" to see Japanese Hanabi.
cut and paste to see these links:
http://japan-fireworks.com/guide/e-guide/biggestshell.html
The biggest "fireflowers" we see here in Denmark are about 8 Inches and weigh 6-7 pounds. In America the biggest shells are 12 Inches and weighs about 20 pounds. But at some of the japanese shows they shoot 48 inches - weighing as much as 1000 pounds. They are shot 2500 feet up from mortars and explode into fireflowers with a diameter of up to 2400 feet. Now that is something!
If you have been to or lived in Japan - Tokyo, you have probably seen the Hanabi on Sumida River?
During the years I have been to America many times. First NyC, then Everglades Florida down to key West, Cape Cod in the summer, Chicago - many parts of the Midwest, Iowa, Indiana - holiday at lake Michigan, Wiscounsin, Salt Lake City (I am LDS), Seattle - Driving down the West Coast in 3 weeks to San Diego. And I have been to Alaska on a fishing trip.
I look forward going to SLC In September and see the beautiful red sun setting on the Wasatch Mountains, perhaps even the first snow? I might also go visit a new found friend I have met in Iowa. She lives in San Antonia Texas. I have found some dear friends in Iowa - Only wish it wasn´t so cold there. Roses do not like it that cold.
I once lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In 1985, in preparation for the upcoming World's Fair, different companies were involved in a fireworks "competition" to see which would be awarded the contract for the Fair.
For almost 30 days, we would sit in various locales locally waiting for the next "competition". We could often see the 'reviews' of these events, complete with their descriptions of "Chrysanthemums", the "Lotus" or any number of other florally-named fireworks.
I love your blog. Informative and light-hearted, with some scrumptious pictures. Really, really nice, Niels. Thanks.
Lived in Tokyo for 3 years and Yokohama for 5 1/2. Never been to the fireworks, as far as I can remember. If you ever get there for the festival, be prepared for hot, muggy weather. And PEOPLE.... the season is in for OBON.
A lot of "out of the way" places you have been !!! Indiana??? Only connection I see myself having there would be my Quaker ancestors. Salt Lake City could be interesting for my genealogy work (thank God for the Mormons and Quakers for their record-keeping), otherwise I prefer the east coast for its history, architecture, and "charm".
I´m also off to Colorado, NY, Philadelphia, and DC in mid Sept.
Ahhhhh! How wonderful!!!! I love nature's fireworks better than the pyrotechnics now that you've showcased them so beautifully.
Simply breathtaking!
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
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