Japan to light up skies with 'Hanabi' at BIT
By Sonia K

Japanese Hanabi implementation unit and members of Hokurikukako
during a courtesy call to the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. - Sonia K

The Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo (BIT) 2006 is one of the most colourful events for the 60th birthday celebrations of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Besides performances by military bands from various countries, Japan will be presenting a spectacular 'Hanabi' (Japanese fireworks) display, which is highly acclaimed worldwide for its beauty and excellence.

Japanese fireworks had gradually evolved from a long history of elegance and beauty. There are many traditional fireworks around, but the recognition of aesthetic value of Japanese fireworks is absolutely World No. 1.

Last November, the people in Brunei were treated to a spectacular Japanese fireworks display at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, hosted by the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA). They were really impressed and amazed at how different the Japanese fireworks are as compared to ordinary fireworks.

In a press release from the Embassy of Japan, it stated that Mr Hirofumi Kawabata, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation of Brunei Liaison Office, a leading Japanese company in Brunei, was approached by the Secretariat of the BIT 2006 asking for assistance in presenting the Japanese Hanabi at BIT 2006.

Mr Kawabata with strong support from the Ambassador of Japan, made great effort to fulfil the request by raising contributions from influential organisations and business companies such as BJFA, GHK Motors, and Brunei LNG. The total amount of the contributions only reached half the cost. However, Mr Kubota, President and CEO of Hokurikukako, also a fervent admirer of His Majesty the Sultan, decided to bear the remaining cost.

This is how the Japanese contributions to BIT 2006 came to be accomplished. Hokurikukako feels honoured to be able to join BIT 2006 in celebrating His Majesty's 60th birthday celebrations.

They have prepared special fireworks so that His Majesty and the people in Brunei can enjoy the Japanese traditional fireworks.

The most special and spectacular one is the magnificent 'Volley of Fire' firework, bursting with multiple blooms from balls of different sizes in six phases to mark His Majesty's 60th birthday. When the last phase of 'Volley of Fire' blossoms in the sky, it will rise to a height of almost 350m and will spread 310m across the sky.

Hokurikukako hopes His Majesty and the people of Brunei will enjoy the fireworks, which will also be coordinated and synchronised with the musical performances from the military bands of 13 different countries.

Yesterday, the Japanese Hanabi implementation unit and members of Hokurikukako paid a courtesy call to the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Yoshinobu Nisaka.

The ambassador was pleased that His Majesty and the people of Brunei can enjoy the best Japanese fireworks at BIT 2006, thanks to the efforts of organisations and companies that have strong relevance to Japan.

Most of the people in the firework implementation unit are women. Hokurikukako uses a combination of traditional method and computer-controlled technique of cutting-edge technology.

Each Japanese firework is not launched one by one independently but in continuous harmony. It is dangerous for foreign companies that have no advanced technologies to imitate this style.

Hokurikukako, established in 1953, takes pride in having the most modern factory that was built in 1997 in Ishikawa Prefecture to manufacture Japanese firework. Hokurikukako has the biggest factory with the most modern facilities in Japan and is ranked amongst the biggest five manufacturers of fireworks in Japan.

The manufacturing process is meticulously done. A high level of diligence and safety is their utmost motto in order to achieve the highest safety standards in light of the regulations on explosives. Under such a stringent environment, all the staff try their best everyday to manufacture high quality fireworks that have incomparable beauty with excellent craftsmanship in designing the shells which are inherited and pursued for generations.

As a result of their efforts, Hokurikukako is very proud of awards won in the past in Japan namely four times winner of Best Star-Mine Fireworks in Nagahama Firework competition.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin