“Okansen” and Fireworks

At the Ryukyu Kingdom, when a new king was enthroned, emissaries of China’s emperor were invited to hold “Sappurei,” a ceremony to approve the new king with a “satsu” (document).
Entertainment performed at the banquet included not only Ryukyuan dance and Kumiodori but also things like boat racing, “bojutsu” (art of fighting with a staff) and lion dance. “Fireworks” were also one of the important entertainments.
The bearers of the sophisticated karakuri fireworks unique in the world were the samurai of Shuri, and it was a big project with their family’s honor at stake.
However, the tradition of the fireworks disappeared along with the disappearance of the Ryukyu Kingdom.