Kingyo chōchin, Traditional paper lantern craft in Yanai, Japan.
Kingyo chōchin is a traditional paper lantern from Yanai that is shaped like a goldfish and features movable fins. The construction allows the fins to flutter in air currents while the lantern casts a soft glow.
These paper lanterns originated in the mid-19th century in Yanai when local craftspeople developed techniques for creating these distinctive light fixtures. Over time, this craft became an important part of the local identity and continues to be practiced today.
These paper lanterns connect to summer traditions and appear during local festivals as decorative displays throughout the community. They represent the craft heritage that residents maintain, showing how generations continue to practice these traditional skills.
Visitors can participate in workshops to learn traditional crafting methods, with local artisans providing materials and guidance throughout the process. It helps to book in advance and prepare for activities that require some time and patience to complete.
The movable fins of the lanterns are designed to flutter naturally in air currents, creating a lifelike and almost organic effect. This mechanical detail is the result of generations of craftspeople refining their designs.
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