In 1733, the Shogun Yoshimune ordered for several fireworks to be shot up by the current Sumidagawa River (called Ryogoku Okawa at the time). This was done at the timing of “kawabiraki (opening of the river)” to console the spirits of the deceased and to ward off the evil spirits. The reason for this order was because in the previous year, there were numerous deaths due to famine and cholera. Since then, it has become tradition to shoot hanabi on the first day of the kawabiraki. The Sumidagawa Hanabi-Taikai also has its roots here.