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TAKAZAWA CANDLE
TAKAZAWA CANDLE creates traditional Japanese candles, called "WA-ROUSOKU," made from natural waxes. They established their candle-making business back in 1892 in the city of Nanao, Ishikawa Pref. with Noto Peninsula, Japan.



The candles use different kinds of waxes that are derived from plant-based raw materials: Fruits of the HAZE (sumac) tree, rice bran, and canola flower oil. The flame of the TAKAZAWA candles is bigger and brighter than Western candles due to the structure of the wick and the thickness of the candles’ diameter. The wick is made from a combination of natural materials: WASHI paper, rush weed, and silk fiber.
 

The flickering flame of the candles, unscented and made from vegetable wax, will brighten up various scenes of your everyday life. It can be a light adding a special atmosphere to your room or a natural timer letting you know the passage of time. Discover new scenes in your lifestyle.

For dining:

For relaxing:

For mindfulness:

WA-ROUSOKU and TAKAZAWA CANDLE

It is said that candles were brought into Japan through the introduction of Buddhism, dating back to the Nara period (710-794 AD). The candles back then were made of beeswax collected from beehives. They began to be domestically produced around the year 1000 AD, using pine resin wax, but they had a very short burning time.

Japanese candles known as WA-ROUSOKU today, which are made of raw plant waxes such as HAZE (sumac) wax, started to be produced in the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573 AD). In the Edo period (1603-1868 AD), the cultivation of HAZE wax trees flourished in Kyushu and Shikoku, the islands in the southwest of Japan, and these candles came into wide use by the masses.

Blessed with a good natural harbor, Nanao, where TAKAZAWA CANDLE is situated in the middle of the main island facing the Sea of Japan, thrived as a port of call for cargo ships sailing the sea during the Edo era. These ships brought the wax used in the candles from Kyushu and the WASHI (Japanese paper) used in the wicks from Iwami, a region in the western part of the main island.  After being manufactured in Nanao, WA-ROUSOKU were transported by cargo ships to various regions across Japan.

A candle-making cooperative, ROUSOKU-ZA, was established in Nanao in around 1650 and continued into the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912 AD). However, over the years, electric lights replaced candles as the main source of illumination. Today, TAKAZAWA CANDLE, established in 1892, stands as the sole guardian of this tradition in Ishikawa Prefecture.





Characteristics of WA-ROUSOKU

WA-ROUSOKU has two main characteristics. One is that they use plant-based raw materials and the other lies in the special way the wick is made.

The candles are made using wax derived from plant-based raw materials. For instance, fruits of HAZE (sumac) tree, rice bran, and canola flower oil are used. The natural energy stored in these plants is utilized when these candles are burned, thus making them eco-friendly. While burning, they are typically unscented but may emit a faint yet pleasant scent of natural wax without any artificial fragrance. When extinguished, the candles release less soot and less unpleasant odor, thanks to the natural, plant-based waxes.

The wick is made by wrapping dried rush weed, a plant belonging to the Juncaceae family commonly referred to as 'lamp wick,' around a wooden or bamboo skewer covered with cylindrically rolled washi paper. The resulting wick has a hollow center that allows air to pass up from the lower part of the candle while also increasing its capacity to absorb melted wax, resulting in more efficient combustion and a large, distinctive flame that flickers beautifully.

Thanks to its plant-based materials and unique crafting processes, WA-ROUSOKU produces a large flame with a beautiful flicker, providing a relaxing effect to people, while also being environmentally friendly.





How to Burn a Candle Safely

  • Use a candlestick that is the correct size for the candle. Secure the candle upright, making sure it doesn’t wobble, and light it in a place out of reach of wind and breezes.

  • While the candle is burning, cut the black burnt part of the wick down to adjust the size of the flame. A specialist wick trimmer is recommended for this.

  • The candlestick will heat up during use and will remain hot afterward. Be careful not to burn yourself.

  • Do not place candles near flammable materials. For example, please avoid placing candles near furniture, beds, carpets, books, or other paper materials.


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Postal code: 153-0065
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