Candles are a part of several religions practiced in Japan.
As Tomoko grew up in Japan, she experienced Protestant uses of candles in
religious activities at her high school: Ferris Academy in Yokohama; she
accompanied the student choir at these observences. Then during her college musical
study Tomoko played the organ at the local Catholic church, which feature
votive candles.
Japan has a long history of candles outside of Christianity,
starting during the Nara Period in the 8th century. These first
candles were imported from China, and were very expensive. Those candles were molded
in paper tubes, used rolled rice paper for wick, and dipped in wax made from
whale fish or honey.
During the Muramachi Period (1336-1573) Japanese people
started making their own candles, called warosuku. These candles continue to be
made by hand by wrapping washi Japanese and then dried rush leaves around a
thin bamboo stick. Next melted wax from sumac or haze trees is layered around
the covered stick, which results in a cream colored candle. To finish the
candle, the bamboo stick is replaced by a candle wick. These candle are part of
Buddhist ceremonies; red candles are used for celebratory events such as
births, marriages, and graduations.
Another Japanese candle-making technique uses rice. When
rice is milled, rice bran wax can be extracted. This kind of wax is harder than
paraffin so it burns longer. As with warosuku candles, the wax is painstakingly
hand-coated layer by layer.
Candles also add a warm glow to musical performances. Nowadays
candlelight concerts of classical music are held in churches in several
countries, including Japan.
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