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Description
A set of two cute candles hand-painted with hydrangea by a Kyoto painter.
Please use it as a Japanese interior and as a gift for those who have taken care of you.
All Japanese candles are made from plant-based ingredients and are handmade by craftsmen one by one. It has less oily smoke and soot and does not pollute the room compared to Western candles.
A major feature of Japanese candles is their unique way of burning. The hollow core creates an air flow, and the flames are large and slowly sway, and are mysterious and emotional. Creates an atmosphere.
Even in a place without wind, the swaying flames will not be extinguished by some wind.
Look at the fire with the same "1 / f fluctuation" as the interval between human heartbeats, the shaking of trains, the sound of babbling streams, the light of fireflies, and healing music. It has the effect of relaxing the mind.
Information
| Manufacturer | Nakamura Rosoku |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Kyoto, Japan |
| Technique | Japanese Candles |
| Material | Japan wax |
| Size | 4.52"(11.5cm) |
| Weight | 0.07 lbs(30g) |
| Capacity | 0 oz(ml) |
| Electronic Equipment | |
| Note | Burning time: 75 minutes |
| Delivery Time | 1-2 weeks (if out of stock + 1-2 weeks) |
Brand
Individually Handmade Japanese Candles Passed Down the Generations
Nakamura Rosoku
- 1887
- Japanese candles
- Hirokazu Tagawa
Individual candles being decorated by hand
History
130 Years of Handcrafting Soft, Warm Lights
For over 130 years, Nakamura Rosoku have dedicated themselves to producing exquisite Kyoto candles.
Japanese candles have been used over the ages for Buddhist rites and other special occasions.
However, demand has decreased due to the prevalence of inexpensive Western and electric flameless candles.
Adding to this challenge are issues like the decreasing availability of Japanese wax obtained from the berries of “haze” trees, which is the main component of Japanese candles.
To solve these problems, Nakamura Rosoku has joined a project to cultivate haze trees and increase wax production.
They are also striving to make Kyoto candles more appealing to the younger generations, such as by developing stylish, scented versions and more.
The warm, gentle glow of Japanese candles
Characteristic
An Embodiment of Remarkable Traditional Craftsmanship
The main difference between Japanese and Western candles is the ingredients.
While Western candles are made with petroleum-based materials, Japanese candles are solely plant-based. Producing no petro-carbon soot, Japanese candles are an environmentally friendly alternative to regular, modern candles.
Japanese candles are made from the berries of a variety of haze tree called “budo haze.”
Today, there is only one remaining farm in Wakayama Prefecture still growing budo haze trees.
As this does not allow for a steady supply, Nakamura Rosoku decided to cultivate new budo haze trees in Kyoto City.
It takes three to four years to bear fruit and the trees are often damaged by deer and other pests, so for the time being, it has to supplement its stock with berries from other prefectures.
However, Nakamura Rosoku hopes to one day make Japanese candles using only berries from Kyoto.
A major characteristic of Japanese candles is the way they burn. With hollow wicks creating space for the air to flow, the flame produced is large and sways gently even when there’s no wind.
It does not get blown away by the wind easily and yields an enchanting, mystic atmosphere.
Being entirely handmade, each individual candle embodies the traditional techniques and mastery of numerous craftspeople.
Message to Customers
A Flicker That Nourishes the Soul
Japanese candles emit an orange flame that is slightly darker than that of Western candles.
This is because plant-based wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax. The dark color is easy and inviting to look at.
It is also said that Japanese candles emit a “1/f flicker” noise that relaxes us similarly to the rhythm of a heartbeat, the rocking of trains, the sound of streams, and the light of fireflies.
It can’t be found in Western candles, so make sure you savor it if you get the chance to experience it.
How Japanese Products Can Be Such High Quality
The Reason Japan Can Produce So Many High-Quality Products
To put it simply, it’s because they found a way to produce exceptional products with high efficiency, resulting in surprisingly low prices.
The Japanese Drive for Perfection
The Japanese always seek perfection in both the production process and the products themselves.
As such, the Japanese production process aims to eliminate waste and inefficiencies while guaranteeing quality by having craftspeople inspect their own products and constantly strive to make improvements.
Ingenuity Stemming from the Spirit of “Omotenashi” and “Kikubari”
The Japanese excel at creating and improving things because of their devotion to the ideas of hospitality and attentiveness, known as “omotenashi” and “kikubari” respectively. These ideas push them to uncover, predict, and fulfill their customers’ every need.
This earnestness, as well as how they spare no effort when it comes to offering their customers the very best, is reflected in the products Japan produces.
Trustworthy Suppliers That Deliver On All Fronts
One product is often the result of various organizations joining forces and combining their skills and capabilities.
Japanese suppliers are known for their dedication to delivering high-quality materials, parts, and products on schedule, and it’s thanks to their efforts that Japan can produce such high-quality goods.
The Japanese Are the World’s Most Discerning and Demanding Customers
Many Japanese people have traveled and experienced shopping around the world. This has given them a much more discerning eye for judging the quality of products.
The standards of Japanese people are very high. They are finely tuned not just to the quality, safety, design, and novelty of products, but also to their visual appearance such as their packaging and wrapping.
Made-in-Japan products keep improving in quality in order to meet the rigorous standards of their domestic clientele.
Japan Is Home to Many Long-Established Companies
According to an international survey, Japan has the highest number of companies that have been established over a century ago. In fact, the grand total of 33,076 of such Japanese companies accounts for 41.3% of the total worldwide number of 80,066. The US takes second place with 19,497 companies (24.4%) and Sweden comes in third with 13,997 (17.5%).
Japan also has the highest number of companies that are more than two centuries old, being home to 1,340 such companies, which account for 65.0% of the global total of 2,051. The US takes second place with 239 companies (11.6%), Germany comes in third with 201 (9.8%), and the UK places fourth with 83 (4.0%).
So, Japan is able to produce so many high-quality goods because it’s home to the highest number of long-established companies that have been passing down their knowledge and technical prowess through the generations.
*Source: Based on data from Teikoku Databank and Bureau Van Dijk’s orbis (as of October 2019).
What Makes Traditional Japanese Crafts High Quality
Traditional crafts are the amalgamation of Japanese culture.
“Traditional crafts” is the general term used for crafts that are produced using processes and techniques that have been passed down through generations. In Japan, this includes textiles, dyed goods, ceramics, lacquerware, woodwork, washi Japanese paper, dolls, items for Buddhist rituals, and other goods that enrich our everyday lives.
Traditional crafts are associated with the concept of “the beauty of use”, which refers to products and skills that become easier to use and approach perfection the longer they come into contact with people.
Currently, it is believed that there are approximately 1,300 different types of traditional crafts in Japan.
Among these, 236 crafts have been officially designated as “traditional Japanese crafts” by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (as of January 2021).
The main criteria for being recognized as a traditional Japanese craft:
Key Parts of the Production Process Must Be Done by Hand
Traditional Japanese crafts do not have to be entirely handmade, but the underlying process that brings out the product’s unique and distinctive characteristics, such as their quality, form, and design, must be handcrafted.
This guarantees that every traditional Japanese craft is, at its core, a product of human hands, meaning that its size and shape have been designed with human comfort in mind. It also makes the crafts much safer.
The Skills and Techniques Used to Make It Must Be Passed Down for Over 100 Years
The Japanese believe that a technique or a skill can only be considered reliable and complete after it’s been refined through trial and error and constant improvements by numerous craftspeople over a period of at least 100 years.
Skills are closely related to the capability of each craftsperson and precision, and they are something that an individual can refine. Techniques, on the other hand, are associated with the historical accumulation of knowledge, including everything from the selection of raw materials to the production process.
All this said, modern craftspeople don’t just mimic the techniques of the past. Rather, they’re continuously coming up with improvements and developing new ways of doing things without fundamentally changing what makes traditional Japanese crafts unique.
The Skills and Techniques Used to Make It Must Be Passed Down for Over 100 Years
As we can see, the secret to the high quality of made-in-Japan products is the drive of Japanese people for perfection, the adherence to their unique philosophy of hospitality, and their discerning eye that can’t be matched.
Traditional Japanese crafts are one level above normal made-in-Japan products, as they must also meet rigorous criteria such as being handcrafted or made using skills and techniques that have been passed down for at least a century.
Thanks to all of the above, Japanese products have become famous for their high quality all over the world.