Candela Trummer / Small

NAKAMURA ROSOKU

"There are things I can do as a next generation!"

I believe that as a young generation, I am able to abandon the stereotypes of having to do certain things. In addition to the traditional techniques that have been handed down for hundreds of years, I would like to develop new products by making the most of the ideas that only a young person like me can come up with.

ARTISAN STORY

Hono Nishikawa / Nakamura Rosoku
Since 2017, I have been a Japanese candle painter at a long-established company in Kyoto Prefecture that has been in business for 125 years. I decided to join the company because I was fascinated by the drawing pictures on a small campus through my work experience. We create candles of not only simple colors such as white and red, but also hand-draw designs of each four seasons one by one.

WAROSOKU / JAPANESE WAX CANDLES

About 500 years ago / 1500s / Muromachi Period

Japanese wax candles use plant-based wax, traditionally from haze tree berries, built up repeatedly around a hollow core of washi and rush pith. Demand expanded from the Muromachi through Edo periods in temples and castle towns, where the candles served ritual and nighttime lighting.

In Japan, warosoku remain closely associated with temples and household altars. Their flames are larger and more animated than those of many Western candles, while the wax tends to drip less. Decorative painted candles and interior uses have also created new audiences.

The wick is not cotton thread. Rush pith is wrapped in washi, leaving a hollow center that draws air and supports a large flame. Makers coat the wick by hand again and again, so a cross-section reveals concentric layers almost like the growth rings of a tree.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.