By Tachibana Museum
By: Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
YAMAGA LANTERN
Originating in the Yamaga region of Kumamoto, this delicate lantern is crafted entirely from paper. Styled after traditional metal lanterns, the paper lantern has been a specialty of the Yamaga region for 600 years. Although it appears heavy, it consists only of paper and glue, and is quite light and delicate. Larger versions are dedicated to local Shinto shrines, and woman wear lanterns like this one on their heads when they dance in the Yamaga Lantern Festival in mid-August.
Characteristics of Yamaga Lanterns
Yamaga Lanterns are a traditional product, which consist only of glue and Japanese paper (washi) made from local mulberries without wood or nails.
They have taken various forms, from the famous "Kana-dourou" (the original gold lantern) down to the Miya-zukuri (shrine), the Shinden-zukuri (palace), the Zashiki-zukuri (home) and the Shiro-zukuri (castle). Everything is made by hand. From the pillar to the frame, every single piece of this item is made of Japanese paper (washi). All the parts are constructed with glue and washi in assembly-line fashion.
Parts for Yamaga lantern/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
They are made wholly of Japanese paper and a small amount of glue. No wood or metal are used.
inside part/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
The inside part is kept empty to make it astonishingly light.
paste/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Yamaga Lantern are miniaturized versions of actual lanterns. The size is adjusted horizontally and vertically to enhance its sophistication.
cut/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Cut and divide them using a paper pattern.
build/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Paste and construct each part.
giboshi part/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Make six sides for the onion-shaped dome.
These papers are cut on an incline so they can be glued together more smoothly.
giboshi part/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Each part is glued together with rice paste.
The giboshi part (an onion-shaped dome ornament found on old Japanese bridges) of the Yamaga lantern is complete.
bracken-shaped parts/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Put each part together with glue.
This photo shows the bracken-shaped parts.
Moreover, the curved parts of the lantern have no tabs for the use of glue. The papers are held together only by folding. Their structural integrity entirely depends upon the skill of each craftsman.
A part of hexagon/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
The hexagon part.
Build the center part/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
Build the center part.
paste/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
The bracken-shaped parts are meticulously hand crafted so that there are no uncomfortably noticeable imbalances.
Build the light-holding part of the lantern.
Yamaga Lantern/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
KANA-DOUROU
A Yamaga lantern made by traditional methods.
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Kana-dourou lantern (one pair)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
KANE-TOUROU
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Kana-dourou lantern (single)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
KANE-TOUROU
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
The Thousand Lantern Dance
Every year on the night of August 16, 1,000 women clad in kimonos of summer cotton, dance with these golden lanterns on their heads.
Miya-zukuri (Kinkaku-ji Temple)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
MIYA-DUKURI
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Miya-zukuri (Suzaku-mon Gate)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
MIYA-DUKURI
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Zashiki-zukuri (Residential architecture)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
ZASHIKI DUKURI
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Zashiki-zukuri (Residential architecture)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
ZASHIKI-DUKURI
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Zashiki-zukuri (Residential architecture)/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
ZASHIKI-DUKURI
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Bird cage/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
TORIKAGO
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Arrow quiver/ Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts CenterTachibana Museum
YATSUBO
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Lantern craftsman
To be a lantern craftsman, special skill and experience are required - a dozen years or more for those with the most expertise. Before they begin production of the lanterns for the August festival, the craftsmen are purified at a festival held at Omiya Shrine in April. Long ago, no women were admitted in the workshop, and products were never allowed to be taken out of the workshop. Furthermore,their know-how was kept confidential and was handed down only to a few appointed craftsmen. Nowadays, even female craftsmen join in the production process, and help maintain the tradition.
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
Curated by
SAKAMOTO Naofumi (Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center)
Source: provided by Yamaga City, Yamagatourou Shinkoukai, Yamaga Lantern Shop NAKASHIMA, Kyushu Research Institute for Cultural Properties Inc.
