PL Art of Fireworks

Overview

The Kyosai Festival PL Art of Fireworks is a religious event that was held annually on August 1 by the Church of Perfect Liberty (PL), headquartered in Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture. This fireworks display is positioned as one of the events within the Kyosai Festival, which honors the virtues of the founder, Tokuharu Miki, and the second patriarch, Tokuchika Miki, while praying for world peace. Since its first holding in 1953 it had never been canceled through 2019, but it was called off from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023 financial constraints were cited as well. The cancellations ran for six consecutive years through 2025, and no prospect of a revival has been announced.

Although this fireworks event is primarily a religious ceremony organized by the church, its grand scale has made it widely recognized as a "summer tradition" in the local area. On the day of the event, tens of thousands of visitors, including non-believers, would gather in Tondabayashi City, prompting Kintetsu to operate special timetables and implement large-scale traffic restrictions from evening until late at night. Estimates of the crowd differ widely between sources, ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 people down to figures of several tens of thousands visiting Tondabayashi City and 30,000 to 40,000 spectators coming from within Osaka Prefecture. Whichever figure is taken, it was known as one of the largest displays in western Japan, though in later years it increasingly emphasized its character as an internal church ceremony.

History and Origin

The origin of the Kyosai Festival PL Art of Fireworks lies in the succession of the founder's will by the second patriarch, Tokuharu Miki, who inherited the wishes of his father, the first patriarch Tokuharu Miki. The first patriarch had often expressed his desire to launch fireworks in his later years, and to fulfill this wish, the first Kyosai Festival was held in 1953 in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, the birthplace of both patriarchs, where fireworks were launched for the first time. This initial event laid the foundation for what would later develop into the grand fireworks art festival in Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture.

From the second edition in 1954, the venue was moved to the church's main headquarters in Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture, following the relocation of the church's headquarters. This move established the fireworks festival in the holy city of the PL Church, and it grew into a major event that gathered believers from across the country, who arrived in over 100 large buses. A special temporary ticket gate was installed at Tondabayashi Station exclusively for the fireworks festival, an unusual facility that was used only during this period.

In 1963, the event was officially named the "PL Art of Fireworks." This naming marked a turning point, making the fireworks more spectacular and firmly establishing the Kyosai Festival as a summer tradition in Osaka Prefecture. The official name clarified the event's position not merely as a fireworks display but as a religious art form, leading to improvements in the quality and scale of the fireworks launched.

Several theories exist regarding why the event was fixed on August 1. One theory claims it is the anniversary of the first patriarch's death, but his actual death date is July 6, making this theory incorrect. Another theory, which is considered more plausible, suggests that August 1 was chosen because it statistically has the least rainfall. Until 2019, the event was held regardless of weather conditions, and it was even conducted during heavy rain from Typhoon No. 10 in 1982.

Highlights

Super Large-Scale Star Mine The finale features a "super large-scale star mine" consisting of approximately 8,000 fireworks, creating a breathtaking spectacle. In the past, the number was officially stated as 100,000 to 120,000, but the counting method was changed in 2008, and the actual number of spherical shells is now 10,000 to 20,000. When this star mine is launched, the sound of the fireworks echoes like thunder across the Minamikawachi region, and the area becomes as bright as daylight for an instant, creating a spectacular scene.

A Niagara Cascading Like a Waterfall A famous attraction was the Niagara-style set piece, which spilled down across the vast venue grounds like a waterfall. This Niagara effect is created by countless star-shaped fireworks falling continuously, producing a fantastical landscape that resembles a real waterfall. The curtain of light spreading across the night sky provides spectators with an extraordinary emotional experience and serves as a key element of the performance.

Consecutive Launches of Shaku-dama Shells A distinctive feature is the simultaneous launch of shaku-dama shells, each approximately 30 centimeters in diameter, from multiple locations. These shells explode at an altitude of about 300 meters, producing giant chrysanthemum-shaped flowers approximately 300 meters in diameter, visible from surrounding cities and towns. The moment when multiple shaku-dama shells explode simultaneously draws the loudest cheers from the audience.

Music-Synchronized Fireworks Displays set to music are also described, with shells launched in rhythm with the accompaniment. The intention was to compose the whole as a single work rather than a mere sequence of fireworks. Spectators could enjoy both visual and auditory experiences, creating a solemn atmosphere unique to religious art that set it apart from other fireworks festivals.

Diversity of Firework Types Among them, set pieces that drew characters and figures in the night sky were sometimes used. Launched one after another, these varied shells kept the audience engaged throughout the program.

Viewing from a Distance Although general spectators could not approach the launch site, they could enjoy the spectacle from within Tondabayashi City and its surrounding municipalities. Particularly, the mountainous areas such as Mount Nijo and Mount Kongo offered excellent viewpoints where the entire panorama of the fireworks could be observed. The fact that the fireworks could be enjoyed from a distance while still conveying their power is a testament to the scale of this fireworks art.

Event Information and Access

• Date and Time: Annually on August 1. Until 2019, all fireworks were completed by approximately 8:35 PM. However, the event has been canceled for six consecutive years from 2020 to 2025, so please check the official website for the latest schedule and availability.
• Venue: Hikarigaoka Country Club (2258-1 Shindo, Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture), a facility associated with the PL Church. The church headquarters stands at a separate address in the same city.
• Viewing Conditions: This is primarily a religious event for church members, and general public viewing is not permitted. Until 2014, paid viewing areas (Lawn Park venue) were available, but these were discontinued after 2015.
• Nearest Station: About a 15-minute walk from Tondabayashi Station on the Kintetsu Nagano Line; through trains from Osaka Abenobashi ran via the Minami Osaka Line. Kongo Station and Osaka Sayamashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line also served as access points.
• Traffic Regulations: Pedestrian bridges near the venue are closed from 1:00 PM to 7:00 AM the following day. Osaka Prefectural Routes 35 and 203 are closed to vehicles from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. National Route 170 is also closed from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
• Special Trains: The Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line operated special timetables with approximately eight semi-express trains per hour between Osaka Abenobashi Station and Tondabayashi Station. After the fireworks, approximately 12 semi-express trains per hour departed from Tondabayashi Station to Osaka Abenobashi Station between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM.

Surrounding Area Information

Tondabayashi City is a historically rich city located in the southeastern part of Osaka Prefecture, and the "Tondabayashi Jinai-machi" district has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. This Jinai-machi was formed as a religious city from the Sengoku period to the Edo period, featuring stone-paved streets and white-walled townhouses that create a charming landscape. Visiting this area before or after the fireworks festival allows one to experience history and culture.

The PL Church headquarters occupies a vast area, and within its grounds stands the "PL Tower," a high-rise building that serves as a landmark visible from a distance. The grounds also include the Hikarigaoka Country Club golf course, which was used as the launch site for the fireworks.

The surrounding area is characterized by natural abundance, with mountains such as Mount Kongo and Mount Nijo spreading out. Mount Nijo, in particular, is a historically significant mountain mentioned in the Manyoshu poetry collection and was known as a popular viewing spot for the fireworks. Additionally, nearby attractions include the Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum and various ancient tomb sites from the Kofun period, making the area suitable for historical exploration. During the fireworks festival, visitors could combine visits to these tourist spots.

Related Information

1. The Kyosai Festival PL Art of Fireworks was held without a single cancellation from its first edition in 1953 until 2019. The fact that it was even held during the heavy rain of Typhoon No. 10 in 1982 demonstrates the determination behind the event.
2. The number of fireworks was officially stated as 100,000 to 120,000 in the past, but the counting method was changed in 2008, and the actual number of spherical shells is now 10,000 to 20,000.
3. In 2019, the church ceased all external information provision, including the setup of press seats and distribution of press releases, citing a return to the original nature of the church ceremony.
4. From 2020 to 2023, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although restrictions were eased in 2023, the church deemed it impossible to hold the event due to financial difficulties and the need to avoid the "three Cs" under the new lifestyle guidelines.
5. In May 2024, the fifth consecutive cancellation was announced. The cancellation continued into 2025, marking six consecutive years without the event.
6. A special temporary ticket gate was installed at Tondabayashi Station exclusively for the fireworks festival, used only during this period. Additionally, many delivery and courier companies refrained from making deliveries within Tondabayashi City after noon on the day of the fireworks, reflecting the significant impact of the event on local logistics.

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