RYUSEI, The Rising Dragon


The oldest stick rocket in Japan

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Fig.1 The Ryusei on rising

Fig.1 The Ryusei on rising

The RYUSEI, it means "Raising Dragon" or "Shooting Star". This is the oldest rocket with over 100 years' tradition. It is said that the origin of Ryusei is a signal fire.
Ryusei is made by wooden pipe and bamboo pole. Put gunpowder into wooden pipe, it will be Ryusei engine. Fix bamboo pole to engine for stability. Install fireworks and parachutes into head part. Engine Pipe length is about 60cm and inside diameter of it is about 9cm. Length of bamboo pole is about 18m. It can achieve altitudes over 300m with white smoke and roaring sound. This situation looks like "Raising Dragon".
 Fig.2 The Ryusei on rising

Fig.2 The Ryusei on rising

Fig.3 The structure of Ryusei

Fig.3 The structure of Ryusei

Reference Data: Ryusei types in Japan
From "THE ROCKETs OF JAPAN" by Youich Kuge (http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~yoichqge/)

Fig.4 They carry Ryusei to launcher

Fig.4 They carry Ryusei to launcher

Fig.5 They go walk in procession with the Ryusei

Fig.5 They go walk in procession with the Ryusei

Fig.6 Exploded on launcher

Fig.6 Some Ryusei was unsuccessful launch
Exploded on launcher

Fig.7 It ignited the engine but it was not launch

Fig.7 Some Ryusei was unsuccessful launch
It ignited the engine but it was not launch

Fig.8 Head of Ryusei This head is surrounded by small umbrellas These umbrellas will be open in the sky

Fig.8 Head of Ryusei
This head is surrounded by small umbrellas These umbrellas will be open in the sky

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