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In Japanese this is called senko hanabi. It is as necessary in summer as cherry blossoms in spring. It is far different from the loud, blazing, metal rod sparklers I used to get in America. It is delicate, quiet, and the sparks are beautiful. There is a ball of molten material on the end so you have to hold very still. If you move too much, the ball falls off and you are finished. Of course kids (and adults) try to see who can keep theirs the longest. I cannot find it again but I saw this quote about senko hanabi:

"There is a sadness to senko hanabi. They evoke mono no aware, the flash of sadness at the beauty and briefness of life. The poignantly ephemeral has long been appreciated in Japan and is still felt in the quiet celebration of senko hanabi blossoming from a child's hand."

That is the difference.