Unique Savoir-Faire: Warosoku - Japanese Candles

(right image: Daiyo warosoku candles)

What I love most about candles is that they have no borders or religion of their own. Every country has its own uses for them, and every religion uses them in its own way. They are universal, and perhaps that is the most beautiful aspect of candles.

Today I would like to write about traditional Japanese candles, known as warosoku. They have a unique design with the power to captivate and soothe observers with their large, graceful, and clear flame. They have great cultural significance in Japan and their making has become a popular activity for foreign visitors.

The word warosoku simply means Japanese candle (wa = Japanese, rosoku = candle). Warosoku are made from rice bran and other plant extracts, and are known for their distinctive shape and distinctive aroma when they burn. The flame is also much larger than that of Western candles, due to the much thicker wick. With the rise in appeal of vegan lifestyles, warosoku have experienced a new wave of popularity, as today's candles are made entirely from plant-based materials.

Traditional Warosoku candles are about 3 inches long and burn for 25 to 30 minutes, while a similarly sized Western candle would typically burn slightly longer, about 35 to 40 minutes. This is due to the difference in the wick, which in warosoku is thicker and therefore burns with a more intense heat.

Traditionally, warosoku come in two different shapes. The most common shape, called Ikari, is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and is a distinctive feature of many Japanese candles. But that’s just the beginning of what makes them special. The candles have a subtle, earthy aroma and burn brightly without soot or dripping, thanks to their unique shape.

Various vegetable oils and fats are used to make Japanese candles. Traditionally, the wax was extracted from the outer bark of the fruit of the Japanese sumac tree, and this variant was called mokuwax.

Another feature that sets Warosoku candles apart from Western candles is the wick. Most Western candles have a thin cotton thread, while authentic Japanese wicks are made of Japanese paper (washi) wrapped in Igusa grass (used to make tatami mats) and cotton fibers.

Once the wicks are made, they are carefully placed on a bamboo skewer and dipped into the hot wax. During this process, different natural dyes can be used to add color gradients to the candle. Once the candle reaches the ideal width, the wax is shaped by hand. Larger candles can have up to 300 layers of wax before reaching the ideal size!

The practice of painting warosoku is also a popular pastime for people interested in candle making, known as e-rosoku, or painted candles, which can also be purchased ready-made.

In Japan, Warosoku candles are not typically used at casual dinners. They began to be used in Buddhist ceremonies as early as the 7th century in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara as a necessary tool for guiding and communicating with spirits and gods. You will often find them used in prayers at Japanese home shrines, temples, or burial sites. They are believed to help the individual communicate with or approach the spirit realm. The candles are lit as a beacon of communication between the two worlds and are therefore used accordingly, decorating many ritual rooms in temples and shrines to “prepare” the space spiritually for rituals and ceremonies.

However, today, warosoku can be used for a variety of purposes. Their vivid light and distinctive aroma make them the perfect addition to a relaxing bath, personal meditation, or simply to achieve your own state of mindfulness.

Warosoku candles require a small device called a wick trimmer. Because the candle wick is relatively thick, it leaves behind a larger amount of burned carbon as the flame advances. For a smoke-free experience, it is best to trim the wick occasionally when the flame begins to distort.

Nowadays, with the scarcity of master craftsmen who master the craftsmanship of warosoku candles as they once did, each candle produced is a true masterpiece. The dedication, skill and knowledge required to create these unique candles make them even more fascinating. I hope I have conveyed a little of the charm and beauty of these candles, which I consider truly fabulous and distinctive in their style.