Do you know the traditional illuminations and lanterns of Japan? Do you know Chochin, Bonbori, Andon, and tori? Japan is known for being a highly technological country. Its countless illuminated panels and the grandeur of its events impress the entire world.
There was a Christmas when Japan showcased the Starlight Garden, where 190,000 blue LED lights lit up over the Midtown Granden, creating an atmosphere of magic and charm. It is not always like this; Japan is known for its cultural grandeur, mixing the new with the old, with millennia-old customs governing new and old generations.
Another magnificent experience of modern illumination can be found at the Mori Digital Museum. We recommend visiting this wonderful place if you are in Odaiba, Tokyo.
The way of illuminating the country presented itself in a simpler form, involving other techniques that were considered modern and innovative for their time. There are other characteristic equipment that have adorned the cities for centuries.
There is a tradition in Japan where every year thousands of illuminations occur at various tourist spots. Thousands visit these places, and the Japanese usually refer to these decorative lights and events as illumination [イルミネーション].
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chōchin – SUSPENDED silk LAMPS
Chōchin [提灯] are Japanese lanterns or lamps that date back to 1085. They are traditionally made with a bamboo frame covered in silk or paper and are suspended by a hook.
Chouchin are used to decorate shrines, temples, and businesses. They are particularly associated with traditional consumption points, such as Izakaya, which usually have a red chōchin in front with the company’s name written in shodo calligraphy.
Chouchin moji [提灯文字] are lamps printed with ideograms, usually seen at temples, shrines, and festivals. The word moji literally refers to letters and Chinese characters.
In Japanese folklore, there is the chōchin-obake, lanterns that the Japanese believe contain trapped ghosts. In fact, they are just old lanterns that end up splitting along one of their structures, giving the impression of a mouth.
Currently, chōchin are made of plastic structures imitating the old ones, and electric lamps are placed inside their structure.
Bonbori – Paper lamps
The bonbori [雪洞] is a type of paper lamp used in open places. It usually has a hexagonal profile and is used during festivals. It is often hung from a wire or stands on a post.
They are used in festivities such as at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in the city of Kamakura, where the lanterns are painted and sent by artists and famous people. Approximately 400 paintings are displayed, with many signatures and calligraphy decorating the festivities.
The paper lamps originated from China over 2,000 years ago, and it is believed that they were used in festivals by the first Chinese emperor Ying Zheng. Both bonbori and chouchin lamps are made of paper and are often confused.
The term bonbori is more commonly used to refer to lamps supported by a vertical base on the ground. Bonbori does not have to be exactly round; it can be square or varied in shape. It also does not mean that a hanging lamp cannot be called a bonbori.
LANTERNS and illuminations Andon and akiandon
The Andon [行灯] consists of a frame made of bamboo, wood, or metal, wrapped with stretched paper to protect the fire from the wind. It usually has a square appearance, and some have designs or shodo. The andon became popular during the Edo Period.
Andon basically functioned as portable lighting; a handle or top drawer made it easy to move, but it later became more commonly used in a fixed manner. Its flame came from rapeseed oil, a typical Japanese plant, or candlelight; however, its high cost eventually led to it being replaced by sardine oil.
From the andon, the akiandon [秋行灯] derived, which mostly had the shape of a vertical box, was used indoors, and inside it had a support for the light; some had drawers at their base to facilitate refilling.
Another derivation was the enshū andon [遠州行灯], which had a tubular shape and an opening at the bottom; the ariake andon [有明行灯] is also recorded in history as a bedside lamp or lantern for walking at night.
Tourou – The STONE LANTERN
Tourou [灯籠] can be used broadly to refer to any type of lamp, but it is usually specifically used for stone, bronze, iron, wood, or other heavy material lamps.
These typically illuminate Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Japanese gardens, and other places that include tradition in their decoration. In alignment, the toro are shown as an offering to Buddha.
There are two forms of this lighting: the tsuri-dourou [釣り灯籠] which are hung from roofs, and the dai-dourou [大灯籠] which are used in gardens and open areas.
Previously, these illuminations were exclusive to Buddhist temples. After the Heian period, they began to be used in other places, including private homes. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, lanterns were popularized by tea masters in their gardens.
Today, this form of lighting is merely decorative, being used in gardens, forests, near lakes and rivers, or on paths that receive a special touch.
There is a ceremony called dourounagashi [灯籠流し] that consists of paper lanterns floating on a river.
What did you think of the Traditional Illuminations of Japan?
Japanese technology is a characteristic of the present day, but as we walk through the streets and observe the traces of its culture, we see that traditional illuminations are present in all environments, showing that the past and present merge in a unique way.
A beauty so particular gives Japan an air of mystery and grandeur. I hope you enjoyed the article; if you did, please share and leave your comments.
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