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Early access! Take a preview - let me know your feedback here and your comments - leave them on the YouTube page :) I'll release this to the public in the AM in Japan. Thank you everyone, I hope you enjoy this one. 

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How Giant Fireworks are Made | Factory to Launch ★ ONLY in JAPAN

Japan makes some of the world's best fireworks including record breaking giant sized shells like the Yonshakudama! We'll head to a prestigious fireworks factory in Akita to see how they're made. The process includes 1) Milling 2) Granulation 3) Loading 4) Pasting The secrets of the trade are passed down from one generation to the next, family businesses that have been producing fireworks since the Meiji era. The larger the firework shell, the longer it takes to grow the stars or black pellets needed. They start as ceramic balls the size of a sesame seed and grow day by day, taking a month or more to make a Shakudama 3cm star. The Shakudama is a 18.5kg / 19 lb beast that you'll see launched at festivals outside Tokyo and urban areas. They get larger than that! The ni-shakudama, san-shakudama and yon-shakudama will literally blow you away with it's 750m launch height and width. 00:00 Start 02:00 Giant Firework Sizes & Details 04:00 World's Largest Firework Shell 06:00 Fireworks Factory, How it's Made 09:00 Loading the Firework Shells 13:00 Setting up the Launch Site 16:00 Japanese Fireworks Culture & History 20:00 Fireworks Launch Event 24:00 Large Shell Fireworks Launch ★ The ONLY in JAPAN Animated Opening was created for John by D'ART Shtajio https://dartshtajio.com/​ ◉ Media Inquiries & Questions: Please contact me through http://onlyinjapan.tv​ ONLY in JAPAN ® is a registered trademark - All rights reserved. John Daub has been a reporter for NHK World TV since 2008 and YouTube creator & producer of the ONLY in JAPAN ® series building a community of over 1.6M. Thanks for watching! #onlyinjapan​ #fireworks #howitsmade

Comments

Vern Dietsche (aka UFO Bob)

Outstanding! The shots from the canons looking into the sky as the fireworks were launched were thrilling to see. And the split screen and picture-in-picture brought home the scale, magnitude, and power of the fireworks.

Gerard Camphens

John thanks for the documentary. very interesting how this fireworks has been made. I really enjoy this . very much. Another Only in Japan fire works festival? Happy New Year John, Kanae and Leo. Have good year and stay in good health and most of all STAY SAFE AND ALSO THE oNLY IN jAPAN COMMUNITY. Arigato. 🙏🍻🍻🍻🍶 Kampai.

Anne Dugan

Absolutely well done! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. You never disappoint!!!

Rainer Loves Japan

Gute Arbeit John. Arigato gozaimasu for everything you’ve done 🙌🏻

Josh Lazarus

As a fireworks professional in the US, your narration was spot on. Everything was explained perfectly. Can't wait to come to Japan to see a festival.

Nagi A

beautiful

Lisa

Love Fireworks and really enjoyed watching how they make them. We actually have Fireworks every Thursday from June until the beginning of Sept. then we have them of course on New Years Eve as well.

Joey Tu

That was a very informative video. Love your explanations.

La Ronda Bucciarelli

OMG John! This is an absolutely wonderful, informative, and extremely well photographed video! The drone shots are amazing, as is your narrative about the fireworks themselves. I’m equally impressed by the Komatsu Fireworks Company’s dedication by everyone involved to create the most perfect firework, regardless of size. And you’re right, I don’t think I could look at any bowl of rice in the same way ever again! I agree with Toshikatsu Ogatsusan, I’m also a fan of watching one firework at a time. This is how my family opened Christmas gifts in the past, one-at-a-time so those in attendance can enjoy the gift fully, not unlike the launching of a single beautiful firework. The selection of music is great too! Excellent video! Well done, John!