< Kanto Area> Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition (Ibaraki Prefecture)

It started in 1924 when the late Master Umemine Akimoto, the abbot of Shinryuji Temple, held the event on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura with his private funds to commemorate the fallen members of the Air Force and to stimulate the economy of Tsuchiura, which was exhausted by the recession after the Kanto Great Earthquake. After the event, the fireworks display brought a boom to the shopping district, and the cooperation of local merchants was gained, and since then it has been held as a grand annual event by the entire Tsuchiura community. The fireworks display is held in the fall, which is meant to celebrate the harvest season and comfort the farmers for their hard work.

Among the competitions, the history of the Starmine can be said to be the history of fireworks in Tsuchiura. The Starmine attracts hundreds of fireworks with its exquisite timing and variety of changes. Tsuchiura In 1959 (the 28th), the "Rapid-fire Rengo Division" started as one of the competition categories, and in 1982 (the 51st), it was renamed the "Starmine Division") and became an independent competition category. Since then, fierce competition for the pride and honor of pyrotechnicians has developed, and the "Starmine Division" has grown to become an important division representing Tsuchiura fireworks.

Tsuchiura The Starmine at the National Fireworks Competition is a must-see. Pyrotechnicians invest a lot of time and effort to bring in a special Starmine with Tsuchiura specifications, combining hundreds of various fireworks. The powerful, colorful fireworks, which are shot off at an exquisite tempo and with exquisite timing, are spectacular and captivate the hearts of the audience.

Currently, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award is given to the winner of the Starmine Division, the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Award to the winner of the No. 10 Ball Division, and the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture Award to the winner of the Creative Fireworks Division, making it the highest honor for pyrotechnicians. Furthermore, since 2000, the Prime Minister's Prize has been awarded to the most outstanding pyrotechnists who have contributed to the improvement of pyrotechnics and impressed the audience among the winners of the three categories, and this prize is awarded only to the Tsuchiura and Omagari fireworks competitions among many other fireworks competitions, and has become a goal for pyrotechnists nationwide.