06/08/2026
Makers, educators, custodians. The Yanase family have been handcrafting chōchin lanterns for six generations.
A once flourishing trade in Japan, households and businesses all relied on the work of lantern makers to light up their spaces.
However, as the dawn of electricity decreased the importance of lanterns in daily life, chōchin craftspeople shifted focus to creative objects of decoration rather than necessity.
Today, the Yanase family is working to train young craftspeople to inherit the traditional washi and lantern making techniques.
Together, they are extending the life of this treasured craft practice, creating lanterns for festivals, temples, and modern homes.