Chochin Design: the magic world of Japanese lanterns

22 Feb 2007 Category: Arts & Crafts, Features, Illustration, Japan

Chochin Design: the magic world of Japanese lanterns

Every Chochin, a traditional Japanese lantern, is an unique artifact, made with utter care by specialised manufactures. Take a look at those beautiful characters and designs!

Chochin means a Japanese lantern made of a thin bamboo stick and fine Japanese paper. Look at that light through the paper and feel its softness and warmth radiating. Isn’t it peaceful… In old times, a Chochin had a quite important role in lives of the Japanese. However today, it is only seen in special shops or at some festivals. Therefore it’s time to discover its special charm!

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Junko

At times when there wasn’t electricity yet, people needed Chochin whenever they went outside at night: it was so dark that they were unable to see anything in front of them. That is why the use of Chochin was widely spread during the Edo period.

A Chochin decorating a Yakitori (BBQ-chicken) shop, which is really tempting.

The Chochin, the paper lantern, came originally from China and in the beginning it used to be a simple bamboo box with paper. A candle was lit inside and the main feature of it was its unique composition called “Jabara”, for ‘bellows’. Eventually it was re-designed and improved to what we see now. So one of the oldest Chochin type is called the “Hako-Chochin”, a box lantern. It was based on a special mechanism: when folded it developed into a cube so that all parts were stored completely.


The Kago-Chochin (basket lantern) is said to be the prototype of Chochin.

Foldable Hako-Chochin, a box lantern.

During the Edo period, various different Chochin were used depending on one’s status or occupation. Most people had a “Bura-Chochin” which was hung at the end of a stick. Usually a family crest was drawn on this one to show the family’s heritage. Another common lantern was the “Yumiha-Chochin” for security guards or firefighters. Because of their profession, those people often needed to run and therefore their lanterns had handles that one could grip easily and firmly.


Here is a “Bura-Chochin” - a swallowtail is drawn on as a family crest.

With this “Yumiha-Chochin” often someone yelled “Go-yo-da!” This is an old Japanese word meaning “Stop! You are arrested!”

A “Bajo-Chochin”, an equestrian lantern, was mainly used by the Samurai. It had a quite elaborated mechanism up to every detail, such as a whale beard: due to its elasticity it could absorb the shock when the Samurai was riding a horse.

When riding a horse, a ”Bajo-Chochin” was attached on a Samurai’s waist.

The Making of a Chochin

To examine how a Chochin is made nowadays, PingMag visited the O-shima-ya Onda shop in Asakusa, Tokyo. This is a traditional old store, established in 1854 during the Edo period. Inside the shop the craftsmen are wearing Happi, a kind of traditional Japanese jacket that is mainly worn by artisans. Silently they are drawing Japanese characters and pictures with their brushes on the Chochin. They really do seem to do their work quite confident and proud!

The first step is called “Fuchi-bari”, the edge lining: spreading paper onto the Chochin increases its stability.

To be more specific, the lantern artisans are divided into two production groups: one does the “pasting”, the other one is responsible for the “drawing”. So when someone refers to a “Chochin artisan”, it indicates a person that does the character drawing or the imagery.


A circle is drawn with the means of a compass.

There are many types of brushes and unique colors, like Indian ink, vermilion etc. used.

One thing about the Chochin skills: you certainly need to have a sense for it and the right technique to be able to draw characters and pictures on the lanterns. If you have that, you can express it with “iki”, in a chic way. Remember, every Chochin is a handmade unique artifact, and professionals are able to tell the maker of a Chochin from its characters and pictures.


The police crest.

A draft written with a pencil.

The drafted line is traced by color paint.

It’s done!

Now let’s get to the beautiful paper surface and its designs: there are various characters and pictures that can be drawn on the Chochin. These characters are called “Edo no Moji”, characters of the Edo period. That includes the “Kaisho Moji”, the “Kantei-ryu Moji”, the ones used in the Kabuki world, the “Sumo Moji” the ones used in Sumo wrestling culture, and “Sen-ja-fuda no Moji”, characters used at shrines and temples.


Sumo Moji

A beautiful design of a family crest.

One thing wasn’t mentioned before: the Chochin light is very soft and warm. That is something special, indeed, because these lanterns are made with gentle care, as if the artisans would really put some kind of spirit into it. A manufacturer in the shop put it this way: “I want to craft a Chochin that lasts for a long time… something we can inherit to the next generation”. Things are getting more and more convenient, and every day we have so many new products thrown on the market - but the artisans just keep producing something they think is important regardless of any trend. Their spirit is surely one thing we should remember.

Such a cool artisan!

Chochin Varieties

Several Chochin hanging from the ceiling.

Lots of Chochin for display.

Chochin for a boatman.

Powerful Edo characters written on a Yumiha-Chochin.

A gourd shaped Chochin. Lovely!

Chochin with Ukiyo-e motif.

Isamu Noguchi

Famous Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi not only designed the Moere Numa Park, he was creative in various fields of art: one of his design products is based on the Chochin, and this one is still a timeless classic.


A ceiling lamp From THE NOGUCHI MUSEUM

A table lamp From THE NOGUCHI MUSEUM

But PingMag not only visited the traditional crafters - we asked young illustrator Chris Silverthorn, previously featured here, to beautify a Chochin as well!


Chris concentrating on the drawings.

The thin paintbrush is his favorite… What a beautiful color!

With a delicate line he expanded his imagination on paper.

Done!

Chris seemed to enjoy his very first experience of Chochin drawing. We really appreciate his challenge!

It’s such a wonderful Chochin! By the way, Chris reminds me a bit of Jim Carrey, don’t you think?

We really thank Chris and everybody at O-shima-ya Onda for their time and help with the interview!! Thanks a lot!!

50 Comments

  1. Good job, Chris!

    Posted by: vaneea on February 23rd, 2007 at 1:00 am

  2. I was always wondering what the differences between those lanterns - Chochin - when I was watching animations cough Samurai Champloo. Now I know.

    Posted by: Ben on February 23rd, 2007 at 1:59 am

  3. I used to have a pretty nice lantern at home in the living room. It really looks very nice at night so get one if you can!

    Posted by: Maki on February 23rd, 2007 at 6:23 am

  4. beautiful! i really like the folk-art articles that appear on this site. great work!

    Posted by: selena on February 24th, 2007 at 4:48 am

  5. Excellent work–very beautiful
    frank

    Posted by: Frank Silverthorn on March 16th, 2007 at 10:52 pm

  6. Chris,
    great work, good choice with the colors.

    Posted by: richard sodeinde on March 17th, 2007 at 12:02 am

  7. good work mate. a brilliant infusion.

    Posted by: ryno on March 17th, 2007 at 12:10 am

  8. Chris is as funny as Jimy Carrey too

    Posted by: Ben Weeks on March 17th, 2007 at 1:08 am

  9. wow is great they still making by hand, in Mexico we only use it for X´mas days. I saw many a lot big Chochin in some place of Tokio and Yokohama _

    Posted by: Kira Brilla on March 17th, 2007 at 4:32 am

  10. Thatta boy Chris!! Another amazing creation by a brilliant artist. From your biggest fan and supporter. Mom

    Posted by: Vera Silverthorn on March 18th, 2007 at 10:19 pm

  11. thank you!

    Posted by: Chris Silverthorn on March 25th, 2007 at 10:03 am

  12. thank you all decorating the chochin was cheerful! and i appreciate the positively powerful poetry! what’s next???

    Posted by: Chris Silverthorn on March 25th, 2007 at 10:06 am

  13. Great job Chris! Your talent is endless.

    Posted by: Salina on March 26th, 2007 at 10:10 pm

  14. That rocks!!

    Posted by: Amish on April 2nd, 2007 at 9:37 pm

  15. It is not easy to be as professional as the craftsmen !! but yeah…good try Chris ! Im sure you will become like one of them one day !! more practice !! hahaa….

    Posted by: evon on June 6th, 2007 at 11:47 am

  16. I rock so much i bumped in a chochin once
    go me

    Posted by: Juls is sexy on August 15th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

  17. I suck at every thing

    Posted by: Whae tail on August 15th, 2007 at 1:17 pm

  18. i suck

    Posted by: Whale tail on August 15th, 2007 at 1:18 pm

  19. I can be cool

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