Kagaribi (Chapter 27) Flares- Firework Festival on Sumida River.

The inspiration for this woodblock by Kunichicka is derived from Chapter 27 of the Tales of Genji, titled Kagaribi.

In the this chapter Genji’s passion for Tamakazura continues unabated, but he manages to keep himself in check and display a sincere fondness for her. She, on the other hand, has overcome her initial fears and has settled in nicely at Rokyujo. They spend whole days together, most of which are devoted to music lessons.

In this scene, one of the most frequently illustrated espisodes from the Tale, Genji is shown with Tamakazura in her chambers. “He stayed very late, sighing and asking whether anywhere else in the world were attachments quite like this one…Noticing that the flares in the garden were low, he sent a guards officer to stir and refuel them.

Genji hears the notes of a flute and a koto being played in another wing and recognises the playing of Yugiri and his friend Kashiwagi.

Sumida River Fireworks Display is held near the end of July, along the banks of the Sumida River, which flows through east crowded low land part of Tokyo, and 20,000 fireworks are set off every year. The first Sumida River Fireworks Display was held in 1733. In the previous year the whole of Japan had suffered a great famine in which over 900,000 people starved to death. The government decided to hold a fireworks display to comfort the souls of the dead and to drive away the pestilence.

In the early years of Sumida River Fireworks Display, furious competition between two fireworks makers, Kagiya and Tamaya, contributed to development of the event. Around 1879, as overseas trade increased, a succession of new chemicals entered Japan. This made it possible to develop new bright colors like red, blue, and green fireworks and become even more impressive.

Series   Fifty Four Loves of Contemporary Genji

Carver Hori Gin (Asai Ginjirö)

Publisher Sawamuraya ( Takekawa ) Seikichi