Pix4Japan: Take-Akari

2025-08-26

Take-Akari

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Bamboo Lanterns of Japan・竹灯りの灯す夜

Bamboo lights (竹灯り・take-akari) or bamboo lanterns (竹灯籠・take-chōchin) have been used as lighting since ancient times in Japan to illuminate footpaths and routes leading to castle keeps, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and public spaces during festivals.

In earlier times, candles placed inside carved and decorated bamboo shafts served as the primary source of light. Today, modern interpretations often use battery-powered LED lights to reduce the risk of fire. It’s even possible to purchase commercially manufactured bamboo lanterns with protective coatings for long-term preservation and built-in lighting systems that plug into wall outlets that are ideal for interior lighting and décor.

Over the past two decades, several towns and smaller cities, especially those with historical ties to castles, have begun sponsoring large-scale bamboo light festivals. These events aim to attract visitors and revitalize local economies through the warmth and artistry of bamboo illuminations.

Some castle towns, temples, and shrines also host workshops where participants can design and create their own bamboo lanterns by drilling patterns into pre-cut bamboo shafts. The finished pieces can be taken home as souvenirs or presented as gifts. Many of these workshops use bamboo harvested from overgrown groves that need thinning for ecological health, thus turning what might otherwise be waste into art that connects people with nature and tradition.

Among the many festivals I’ve come across, two that stand out are the Taketa Bamboo Lantern Festival in Oita Prefecture and the Mizuakari Bamboo Lantern Festival in Kumamoto Prefecture, both held in historic castle towns that glow with thousands of softly lit bamboo lights each autumn.

As I captured photos of the gentle glow of the bamboo lanterns flickering against the dark background, I was thankful that someone took the time to combine simple materials and ancient traditions to illuminate the local urbanscape adding a touch of quiet beauty and warmth.