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Senko hanabi (線香花火 senkō hanabi, literally: incense-stick fireworks) is a traditional Japanese firework. It is a type of sparkler. Essays about it date back to at least 1927.[1]
It is a thin shaft of twisted tissue paper about 20 centimeters long with one end containing a few grains of a black powder (gunpowder).[1] Black powder consists of three chemicals: potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal.
Usage
[edit]To properly ignite a senko hanabi, the pointed end (with black powder) is held straight down and lit, so that the flame is at the bottom. After a few seconds, a glowing, molten slag ball will form. The slag is reportedly potassium sulfide, which also contains carbon from the charcoal. After a while, the molten ball will initiate the second phase of the firework, silently spraying an array of delicate branching sparks with a range of up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in).[2]
It is best ignited away from the wind and held with a steady hand, so that the delicate molten ball does not drop and that the two phases can be fully completed.
Principle
[edit]One theory for its distinctive sparks suggest that when lit, firstly the gunpowder burns and later form a blob of molten slag containing potassium sulfide, potassium carbonate and much more, these further react and decompose into gases like CO, CO2, SO2 which erupt out of the from the molten blob and carrying small amounts of slag in the process. These fragments further divide into minuscule bits due to wind, thus creating this magnificent effect.
Culture
[edit]Senko hanabi are included in packets of fireworks and are ignited last amongst other fireworks.[3][example needed]
The fireworks are said to somehow hypnotize the watcher into silence and to evoke mono no aware (translated as "an empathy toward things," or "a sensitivity to ephemera"), a Japanese term describing a flash of sadness felt when reminded of the beauty and briefness of life. "The poignantly ephemeral has long been appreciated in Japan and is still felt in the quiet celebration of senko hanabi."[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Shimizu, Takeo (1996). Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique. Austin, Texas: Pyrotechnica Publications. ISBN 978-0-929388-05-2.
- ^ "How To Make Senko Hanabi Sparklers". Skylighter.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
- ^ a b "Senko hanabi". tokyoq.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
External links
[edit]- Senko hanabi - beautiful Japanese sparkler
- image of lit senko hanabi
- Research Paper[1]
- Where to buy in Japan [2]
- NightHawkInLight - Senko hanabi playlist on YouTube
