Yesterday, I worked in the office from morning until evening and decided to take a taxi to the vicinity of the Sumida River Fireworks Festival venue.
However, as we approached the venue at the Sumida River, the crowd increased, and I had to get off the taxi halfway and walk along with many others towards the venue.
Already, many police officers and festival officials were directing people. Large police buses were blocking the road, and traffic control had begun.
The summer in Tokyo, with heat reflecting off the asphalt and hot air from outdoor air conditioning units, coupled with the anticipation of a fireworks festival that people had been waiting for four years to unfold, seemed to be turning the excitement of the crowd into a frenzy. (For a moment, I was reminded of an accident in Korea!)
As the chairman, I headed to the meeting place in the office. For this day, I walked with those who had left the office and struck out on their own from Fukushima or Nara. At the meeting place, I received a wristband (proof of paid seats) from the young people who were waiting for me.
Following the direction of the festival officials, I walked on and on. Finally, I arrived at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival venue and spread out the seat I was given. There were already many groups who had spread their seats.
As the launch time approached, the surroundings turned into twilight. To my left, I could see the Skytree, standing tall and dignified, adding a touch of beauty to the festival day.
The launch of the fireworks began amidst cheers. I looked up at the night sky, entranced. It was a furious launch of fireworks that conveyed the feelings of the past four years.
Although I prefer watching fireworks comfortably at home with the air conditioner on, the force and realism of watching them live is quite something. (I wonder if people in the Edo period also enjoyed summer fireworks like this?) The ashes from the fireworks flew onto our sheet a lot, which is evidence that we were quite close to the launch site.
A family member, acting as an office representative, provided a treat of "Kanda Kikukawa's eel." It was a very stylish arrangement. We all
ate delicious eel on a sheet on the riverbank.
"A real Edoite, eh?" "Do you like eating eel?"
And thus, the office's summer event came to an end.