Traditional lighting fixtures that beautifully illuminate Japan's nights have a long history and have developed over time, including lanterns, paper lanterns, bonbori lamps, and stone lanterns. These lighting fixtures combine practicality with beauty, and even today, they are used as motifs for lighting or as interior items to enhance spaces. Here, we introduce traditional Japanese lighting fixtures and also suggest ways to incorporate them into interiors as decorative elements.
Andon
Andon is a lighting fixture that became widely popular in Japan from the Muromachi to the Edo periods. Initially used as portable lighting, it later became mainstream as indoor lighting. Made with a frame of bamboo, wood, or metal and covered with Japanese paper, it uses a wick lit in a pan filled with oil, providing a soft light while shielding it from the wind. The fuel used was rapeseed oil or fish oil, and with the spread of oil lamps during the Meiji period, its use gradually declined. However, even in the 21st century, it can be seen as an interior element in Japanese-style inns or in the form of electric lamps using bulbs or LED lights. There are various types, such as standing andon, hanging andon, Enshu andon, Ariake andon, document-reading andon, eight-mat andon, and crossroad andon, each with specific uses and functions.
Chochin
Paper lanterns are traditional Japanese lighting fixtures made of bamboo and paper on an expandable frame, originally lit with a candle at the bottom. They could be carried around, and their functionality and beauty made them widely used for night lighting and festivals in the past. Introduced from China, the foldable structure was devised during the Muromachi period, and by the Edo period, they became popular among the common people. Nowadays, electric bulbs are more commonly used, and they are mainly utilized for festivals, signs, and interiors, especially valued at shrines, during the Bon festival, and funerals for their special meaning.
Bonbori
Bonbori, or snow cave lanterns, are decorative items seen during the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri), wishing for the growth and happiness of girls. Named "bonbori" for the gentle light they cast outward, wrapped in paper or cloth, their soft light is likened to the light leaking from a snow hut. The name originates from words like "honnori" (gently) and "bonyari" (vaguely). There is also a theory that they derive from snow cave lanterns used in tea ceremonies. During the Doll Festival, bonbori are placed on both sides of the imperial dolls, playing an important role in illuminating the wedding setup.
Toro
Stone lanterns (tōrō) are traditional lighting fixtures in East Asia, widely used in Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula, and Vietnam. Originally created to protect the flame from wind by enclosing it in a "basket," their forms range from small paper and wood to sturdy stone or metal ones used in temples and gardens, and even to movable ones like paper lanterns and andon. Brought to Japan with the introduction of Buddhism, they have been made in large numbers since the Nara period for temple construction and used in shrines as offering lights during the Heian period. Traditionally, they were lit with oil or candles, but modern versions may use electricity or propane gas.
Incorporating Traditional Japanese Lighting into Modern Interiors
These traditional lighting fixtures can become attractive accents not only in stores but also in modern interiors. Incorporating Japanese lighting into everyday living spaces can create a calm atmosphere and add sophisticated beauty. For instance, placing a standing andon in a hallway can softly illuminate the path, creating an atmospheric space. Hanging andon can add warmth to living or dining areas as an accent. Moreover, using bonbori or paper lanterns as motifs for lighting in a bedroom can offer a serene atmosphere.
Japanese lighting fixtures are a great way to blend traditional Japanese light with modern lifestyles. For stores or homes wishing to incorporate Japanese elements, these lighting fixtures can be an exquisite choice.
