When you light an incense firework, initially a small ball of fire resembling a bud forms, then vigorously bursting sparks fly out, much like peony flowers blooming one after another. Gradually, it builds up to a climax, exploding in shapes reminiscent of pine needles, and soon the momentum of the sparks wanes, with long and slender ones cascading like willow branches. In the end, it releases sparks akin to chrysanthemums, which, while beautifully blossoming, drop their petals one by one, eventually releasing a final fiery droplet. This incense firework was created during the Edo period and has been passed down to the present day. However, the origin, Kansai-style incense fireworks, have gunpowder attached to straw tips, whereas the Kanto fireworks that inherited it have gunpowder attached to the tip of the paper string. Incense fireworks, scattering sparks as if tracing a person’s lifetime, still enjoy enduring popularity. Nevertheless, there are only two firework companies in Japan that produce incense fireworks, and more than 99% of these, including incense fireworks, are imported from China.

線香花火に火を付けると、最初に蕾のような火の玉ができ、次に牡丹の花が咲くように勢いよく火花が飛び出します。やがて松の葉の形のように弾けてクライマックスを迎え、間もなく火花の勢いは衰え、柳の様に細長い火花が垂れ下がります。最後には、美しく咲きながらも、花びらひとひらずつ落としてゆく菊の様な火花を放って、ぽたっと火玉を落とします。この線香花火は江戸時代に作られ、そのまま今に引き継がれています。ただ発祥の地、関西の線香花火は藁の先に火薬が付いていますが、継承の地、関東の線香花火は紙こよりの先に火薬が付いています。人の一生を辿るかの様に火花を散らす線香花火はいまだに根強い人気があります。しかし、線香花火を作る花火会社は日本には２社しかなく、線香花火も含めて、99%以上が中国からの輸入品です。