讃岐提灯 Sanuki Lanterns | JCRAFTS.com (Japanese Crafts)

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It is believed that the techniques of Sanuki lantern-making were brought from China by the Buddhist monk Koubou Taishi, and that they were first made in Kagawa Prefecture. It is said they have been used for approximately 10 centuries as decorative lanterns at the 88 temples of Shikoku. Because of this, many Sanuki lanterns bearing the special signs of temples and shrines and decorated in glorious colors were presented to temples and shrines as treasures, and are preserved even today

A Traditional Skill Passed Down From Father To Only One Son

The Miyoshi Store was founded in 1616, and makes lanterns for the Meiji Shrine, the Konpara Shrine, and other famous Japanese shrines and temples.

The special feature of Sanuki lanterns is that all stages of production, including some secret ones, are performed by a single craftsman. There are only a few workshops in Japan that can carry out the whole procedure. The "Sanuki Ippon Gake Lantern" technique is a secret passed down from father to a single son, and it is known only to the Miyoshi Store.

In addition to making a variety of lanterns such as those for festivals and use as shop signs, the Miyoshi Lantern Store also repairs and restores old lanterns.



At the Miyoshi Store all the stages of production, from making the wooden frame onwards, are carried out.	Above: stretching the paper and establishing the lantern's shape	Traditional crests, pictures and words are all added by hand.

One of the few shops that carries out all the stages of production, from bending the bamboo and making the wooden frame to adding the words and symbols.
They can make and alter shapes that no other store can.
They can make traditional lanterns, and lanterns of any shape and size.

Tools used when making lanterns

The "Ippon Gake Lantern" was devised as a prayer lantern to encourage the recovery of a sick feudal lord at the beginning of the Edo era, and it is made in three layers with a single, uncut piece of bamboo.
The painter puts his hand inside the lantern to paint a colorful dragon king, Buddha or god on the innermost lantern. On the lantern surrounding this, he paints a supplication, sutra or ritual prayer. On the outside lantern surrounding these two, a traditional Kagawa Prefecture design is used. The three-layered lantern weighs the same as a regular lantern. The techniques of making Ippon Gake Lanterns, first divised in 1610 in the Edo Era, have been passed down from father to one son, generation after generation, right up to the present. This was to preserve the secret of the construction that hides the internal lanterns, as they were created in a time of strife resulting from succession conflict.

By taking the old methods of making lanterns and adding the bending and tying of bamboo sticks, the unique "New Sanuki Ippon Gake" method has been created, and a "block system" technique for making cheaper lanterns has been put into application. Now, lanterns in shapes that were previously unfeasible, like flowers and people, can be created.

On the innermost lantern a dragon, and on the middle lantern a sutra is painted. Turn on the light and it becomes even more beautiful, and the craftman's level of skill becomes even more clear.

Isamu Noguchi is world famous as an engraver and product designer. The "AKARI" lights he designed after being inspired by Japanese lanterns are still admired and loved by people throughout the world. At present they are part of the New York Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. Before unveiling them, it is reported that Noguchi came to the Miyoshi Store to learn lantern construction!

Isamu Noguchi "AKARI"

Only one shop in Japan! Using the secret techniques of the Sanuki Ippon Gake Lantern and the advanced New Sanuki Ippon Gake, lanterns are being created in a variety of shapes and colors, and with a range of patterns and designs.

Kabuki picture lanterns have been displayed in front of Japan's oldest Kabuki theatre, the Konpira Kanamaruza, since the Edo era. The playhouse is lit only by natural light and light from the lanterns, and every year people come from all over Japan to watch the productions.

These are works made using the New Sanuki Ippon Gake process. It takes the traditional lantern-making methods and adds the bending and tying of a single length of bamboo, as well as exploiting the special qualities of a variety of Japanese papers.
Lanterns are made in the shapes of udon noodles, people, gourds and more.

When Japanese people think of Kagawa Prefecture, they think of Sanuki udon noodles. These are super-thick noodles fit for the Udon Empire!
The noodles are a total of 7m long!

A lantern in the image of a pilgrim on the Shikoku 88 Temples pilgrimage.

The products listed on our home page are just a sample of what is available.

Prices vary depending on the specifications.
Once we have received your enquiry, we will send you a quote.

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1947	Born in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture
1975	Became the 11th in a line of Sanuki lantern makers
1988	Exhibited at Expo '88, a World's Fair in Australia
1990	Exhibited at The International Garden and Greenery Expo, Osaka
1992	Exhibited at the International Ship and Sea Exhibition in Italy
1993	Awarded an International Art and Culture Prize Sanuki lanterns viewed by His Imperial Majesty
1995	International Grand Prix Prize
1996	Recognized as a Traditional Craftsman of Kagawa Prefecture
1997	Head of the Japanese Lantern Resarch Institute Received an award for contributions to the developing culture of Takamatsu city
1999	Received Masters' Highest Honors Prize Received Gold Prize, 31st New Art Institute of Japan international Public Exhibition
2000	Publically Recognized by the Takamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, est. 390

Recommended as a Decoration with a Japanese Style.

Yumibari Lantern Round Type
Size: Diameter 24 x Height 31cm

JPY 27,400～

Yumibari Lantern Long Type
Size: Diameter 25 x Height 50cm

JPY 27,400～

Family crests are designs to indicate family, bloodline and region. They are especially used in Japan, where there are at least 241 varieties and 5116 crests.

The famous Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas pattern was created and unveiled in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a measure to prevent imitation and counterfeiting. The design, featuring the initials on contrefoils and flowers, was heavily influenced by the Japonism popular at the time as a result of the Paris World's Fair, and so it used Japanese family crests as motifs.

Sorikado Ni Jinuki Yose Yotsuhishi
(Four Inverse Gathered Diamonds In Curved Square)

Jouge Kumiai Yamagata
(Above and Below Linked Mountain Shapes)

Yotsuyose Inazuma Hishi
(Four Gathered Lightning Diamonds)

Yotsu Yose Hishi
(Four Gathered Diamonds)

Listed price is for a plain lantern. If interested in a lantern with lettering or a pattern, please contact us.

"Takabari" lanterns are hung high, and the Japanese name refers to this fact. Today, they are widely used as signs for restaurants and bars, and also at festivals.

•Size: Diameter 42 x Height 81cm
•Materials: bamboo, hand-made Japanese paper
White 　JPY 36,000～
Red JPY40,000～

Known from Japanese samurai dramas as the lanterns carried by police and guards, these have a handle attached. Can be displayed in the entrance to your house, or given as a present.

•Size: Diameter 25 x Height 50cm
•Size: Diameter 24 x Height 31cm
•Materials: bamboo, hand-made Japanese paper
White 　JPY 36,000～
Red JPY40,000～
Listed price is for a plain lantern. If interested in a lantern with lettering or a pattern, please contact us.

A mark indicating a traditional craft product of Kagawa Prefecture.
Indicates an product for use in everyday life recognised as being created using traditional materials and techniques passed down from at least the Meiji era.