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HISTORY The industry developed with help from Buddhism and kitamae ships As Buddhism spread in the region, Japanese candles made of wax tree nuts were used in the Buddhism altars. At first, candles came from abroad and were expensive. After the Edo period, raising wax tree was promoted and candles were manufactured domestically. Nanao was blessed with natural port and was the port of call for kitamae ships. Nanao Japanese candles were marketed by water ways as far as Kyushuu and Tohoku. As electric light became handy, the use of candles is diminished. The Japanese candles manufactured in Ishikawa Prefecture are used for religious and festival uses. CHARACTERISTICS Japanese candles are gaining popularity among youngsters as gift items While western candles are made from oil paraffin and finished in white, the Japanse candles are somewhat yellowish as they use vegetable wax. Currently, metal and wood molds are used to shape candles, however, before the war wax was coated by hand around igusa (rush grass) pith and paper wicks. Since Nanao Japanese candles were introduced in tourist guide books, the candles became ideal gifts for visitors. |