Craft · No. 236
No. 236その他の工芸品
Yamaga Lantern
山鹿灯籠
yamaga lantern · 熊本県
Yamaga Lanterns are intricate decorative lanterns crafted in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture, made entirely from gold and silver paper bonded with paste — no nails, wire, or frames — creating elaborate architectural and ornamental forms of remarkable delicacy.
- Origin
- 熊本県
- Category
- その他の工芸品
- Materials
- Washi paper · Gold · Silver
- Designation
- Nat'l Traditional Craft
No. IHistory
The origins of Yamaga Lanterns are tied to the festivals of Ōmiya Shrine in Yamaga City. According to local legend, a traveling party once lost their…
No. IIMaterials
Yamaga Lanterns are made from an intentionally minimal palette of materials: gold paper, silver paper, plain washi (Japanese paper), and paste. No woo…
No. IIITechniques
The defining feature of Yamaga Lantern craft is the complete absence of any rigid armature — no bamboo, wood, wire, or nails are used at any stage. Ce…
No. IVClimate
Yamaga City enjoys a warm, humid climate year-round, which helps keep washi and paste workable during the crafting process. However, the hot, humid su…
