an archive of japanese fireworks

Ever wondered what fireworks looked like back in the 1800s? Thanks to Yokohama City’s Public library, we can now get a glimpse of the festive displays back in the day. The library has made a number of illustrated catalogues from Japanese pyrotechnician Jinta Hirayama public and available to download over here (just get your google translate on). If you spot English instructions on how to light up the night sky, that's because Hirayama’s business, The Hirayama Fireworks Company, had clients all around the world. The enterprising chap also invented a special technique for 'Daylight Fireworks' where images of any figures (birds, animals, humans etc.) could be projected into the air.