Senko hanabi
Senko hanabi is a traditional Japanese firework and a type of sparkler. It is a thin shaft of twisted tissue paper about 20 centimeters long with one end containing a few grains of black powder. Black powder consists of three chemicals: potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal.
Essays about it date back to at least 1927.
Names
Senko hanabi can be pronounced as senkō hanabi or senko hanabi. It is also known as hanabi senkō.Usage
To properly ignite a senko hanabi, the pointed end 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.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
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. These chemicals further react and decompose into gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide. These gases erupt out of the molten blob and carry small amounts of slag in the process. These fragments further divide into minuscule bits due to wind, thus creating this magnificent effect.Culture
Senko hanabi are included in packets of fireworks and are ignited last amongst other fireworks.The fireworks are said to somehow hypnotize the watcher into silence and to evoke mono no aware, 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."