Hanami and Hanabi

National parade-like events, matsuri are an integral part of Japan. Originally, these festivals were ceremonies that celebrated Shinto deities, the Kami. Over the centuries, the term “matsuri” has spread to all festivals like Buddhist festivals and events such as hanami. There are said to be more than 100,000 matsuri in Japan, taking place throughout the year all around the archipelago. Anchored in the culture and the hearts of the Japanese, today’s matsuri are far from resembling those from past centuries. Events conducive to meeting and celebrating with peers are part of the manga we read, becoming real narrative codes used by the mangaka. Now let’s discuss the two most popular: hanami and hanabi.

The hanami, longing for contemplation.

The centuries-old practice of hanami originates from the custom of admiring flowers Chinese aristocrats used to do during the Tang Dynasty.

In Japan, hanami derives its meaning from the combination of the word “hana” (flower) and the verb “miru” (to look) and thus the name literally means “to admire the flowers.” Hence, hanami matsuri is the festival where one comes to admire the cherry blossoms (sakura). However, it was not always the case: originally, the ume blossoms, the Japanese apricot blossom, received honors during the practice of hanami.

Under the standard-bearer of the philosophy of beauty and the ephemeral, the hanami reveals all its depth. For some, this is an opportunity to get together with family, friends, or couples, and for others, the hanami is a source of calm and serenity. It is a question of contemplating the fleeting, precarious, transitory side of life. Celebrated for centuries in Japan, hanami soon became an integral part of Japanese literature and art, first in the form of ukiyo-e (Japanese prints), and in anime and manga today.

This event, synonymous with beauty, reunion, sharing, and love, makes it the perfect launching pad to create multiple scenarios: a painting that exudes frank and pure friendship, a romantic rapprochement, the outcome of a romance … Card captor Sakura, Noragami, Toriko, Jujutsu Kaisen and its opening which changes over the episodes (which is also a nice nod to Monet’s painting, Lunch on the Grass) are perfect examples.

Small special mention all the same to Jujutsu Kaisen who managed to design an antagonist based on hanami and who bears the same name as this practice.

The hanabi, the Japanese summer fireworks.

Historically, we owe the first hanabi to Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune (who ruled between 1684 and 1751). He wanted to distract his people and avoid a revolt during an intense economic crisis with this fantastical and colorful spectacle. Nowadays, summer in Japan rhymes with hanabi, the “flower of fire”, a beautiful metaphor for fireworks. This breathtaking pyrotechnic show is an opportunity for the Japanese to come with their family, a special moment for their loved ones.

Hanabi is particularly emotional among the Japanese, as it is THE long-awaited summer release. The fireworks show itself lasts about 1h30 and is a real blaze of colors and sensations. There’s over 7,000 hanabi across Japan and they are are massive events drawing thousands of spectators. The Tokyo Bay fireworks display usually sets off over 10,000 fires within an hour! Wanting to do things differently, the omagari no hanabi, in Akita prefecture in the north of the island, sees around thirty teams of fireworks at the top of their game.

But the hanabi is also a place of romance, especially for first dates. What could be more romantic than to watch the show with your date, a kiss at the corner of the lips, the colored detonations in the background? It’s also an opportunity to reconnect with ancient traditions and sneak around dressed in a yukata. With its mythical and touching scene of the kiss between Takemichi and Hinata, Tokyo Revengers is a very good example. Quintessential quintuplets do the same with its protagonist and one of the sisters. And what about the improvised magical hanabi in Fairy Tail!

Both hanami and hanabi are two very important cultural events in Japan. They both share the same magical atmosphere and the same desire to get closer and share a magical and unique moment with the people we love. They have managed to transcend a simple popular custom to become two essential narrative elements in manga. True sentimental ecstasies, the hanami, and the hanabi in manga make us travel and allow us to interfere for a fleeting moment in this culture that is so close to our hearts.