/* Template Name: About Page (English) */ ABOUT | 有限会社小千谷煙火興業

ABOUT

Photo of the President

Message

Since our founding, guided by our motto, 'A promise to the night sky, continuing since the Meiji era', we have carried on our traditions and techniques to bring colour and wonder to your lives.

Fireworks are not merely an art of light and sound; they are a special presence that illuminates people's dreams and hopes in that fleeting moment. We promise to continue creating beautiful night skies that will remain in the memories of many, whilst prioritising safety and quality above all else.

With a passion that remains unchanged despite the passing of time, we will continue to radiate a brilliance that connects us to the future. We sincerely ask for your continued warm support and guidance.

Company

Company Name

Ojiya Fireworks Co., Ltd.

Location

3265 Yamaya, Ojiya City, Niigata 947-0043

President & CEO

Teruaki Senuma

Representative Director

Chie Senuma

Senior Managing Director

Dai Senuma

Business Activities

Fireworks production / Fireworks sales

Certifications & Affiliations

Certified manufacturer of hand-launched fireworks, a traditional craft of Niigata Prefecture
Member, Japan Pyrotechnics Association
Chairman, Niigata Echigo Fireworks Association (President Teruaki Senuma, appointed June 2021)
General Member, Nagaoka Fireworks Association / Full Member, Nagaoka Fireworks Foundation

Company photo

THE MAKING

Combination process

01Combination

Combination

Several types of raw materials (chemicals and metal powders) are weighed, sieved and mixed together. The raw materials vary depending on the colour of the fireworks, but mainly consist of two types of gunpowder: star powder and burst powder.

Star hanging process

02Star Hanging

Star hanging

The propellant produced in the mixing process is shaped into round spheres (stars). A core of about 3 mm (made of round sand particles) is coated with a slurry of propellant dissolved in water, and then coated with more propellant to increase its size. This process of applying slurry followed by powder is repeated several times; once the ball has grown by about 0.5 mm, it is left to dry. Although this varies depending on conditions, drying takes approximately three hours. This process is repeated until the ball reaches the specified size. The size of the 'star' varies depending on the size of the firework shell; for a No. 10 shell, it measures 22 mm and takes about 20 days to complete.

Ball filling process

03Ball Filling

Stuffed with balls

The 'stars' and 'splitting powder' produced in step 2 are packed into the shell one side at a time and joined together. It is only at this stage that the firework ball takes on its spherical shape. The arrangement and packing of the stars vary depending on the type of ball.

Ball pasting process

04Ball Pasting

Ball pasting

Once the specified number of layers have been dried and assembled, the 'shin-gashira' (the cord or loop used to hang the ball) is attached, and the ball's name and date of manufacture are printed on it to complete the process. This takes about a week for a No. 10 ball.