Japanese Paper Lanterns

Japanese Paper Lanterns

Many inventions of humankind have relationships with their Chinese counterparts. When other nations were struggling to produce new innovations, the Chinese people were gifting many creations to the world since primitive times.

Even long after the Chinese artists were engaged in scribing, painting and producing creations with papers, the Japanese were yet to discover paper usage other than using the raw materials such as leaves to worship.

When the art of paper became known to Japan, people used it sparingly as it was considered sacred due to its shortage. Temples provided people with paper as talismans to avoid ill-fortune. They worshipped gods offering paper as a token showing selflessness and also used paper in their homes to protect them from malevolent spirits.

After the year 500 A.D., certain Japanese returned from Korea with the knowledge of papermaking and, little by little. Japanese became a nation who uses paper extensively for many creations. After the initial period of papermaking, Shinto temples became distinguished places for papermaking adornments that were folded in many ways to make white paper lanterns. Straw ropes were used on which the white paper lanterns were hung (gohei).

One of the famous Japanese Paper Lanterns is Gifu lanterns. The tradition of the Gifu lantern crafting has been linked with the modern era since the Keian and Keicho periods prevailed about 150 years, from the 16 century onwards. The new shapes of Gifu lanterns available today came to exist in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and the coloring of them became more prominent than in the earlier stages. The craft of Gifu lanterns has now been declared as a traditional craft in Japan by the Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

Chochin, yet another type of Japanese Paper Lanterns, is made with bamboo strips in a spiral shape and is covered with paper. Although the origin of Chochin lanterns links with the 16^th century, the related lanterns called kaga (basket) have a history that began much earlier than the 16^th century. Although earlier people used candles in these Japanese Paper Lanterns, these lanterns now come with battery powered lights. But these modern products are not as durable as the earlier Chochin lanterns.

The name Cochin is derived from the song “Dynasty” which was famous in Muromachi era. The first Japanese Paper Lanterns of this type were not foldable. The next style, that can be folded from its midst came to light in Bunroku period - the period of 1592-1596. Then the kago-chochin was produced which has a top handle.

Cody Scholberg, a lighting expert, writes about hanging paper lanterns.  Check out this post on using japanese paper lanterns to repel mosquitoes!