The blossoms in the night sky

In the summer months of July and August, Japanese towns across the country have their local fireworks parties (花火大会).

The Sumida River Fireworks is one of the most impressive and renown. Dating back to the Edo period, when samurai walked the street, the Sumida River Fireworks first started in 1733 and was revived in 1978. This year it let off as many as 21,500 fireworks, lighting up the night sky with huge firery blossoms, attracting 948,000 people.

One moment, a purple flower, another an incandescent of many clours bloomed against the breezy summer night. Then there was a sudden attack, as though the war of the stars had begun, energetically shooting their colours in every direction. And just as the thousands of lights fell off the sky, there was a surprsing blssoming of spring-like sakura. At other times, tadpoles of many colours swam in the dark pool of the night, playful and carefree.

It is amazing how richly expressive fireworks can be, and how the same explosives for making destructive and cruel bombs can move us with so much delight and joy, how we can be lifted to a glimpse of the endless praise of the Most High.

After the party, we strolled home, our clogs making old fashion hollow sound against the street. How good to have been a part of the city's community events, to have enjoyed ourselves without fear of being mugged or shouted at, without drunkards threatening us and, despite the crowd of nearly a million, to be able to move unhassled down the road and all the way home.