Japanese Lanterns by Night – Osaka, Japan

Japanese lanterns Chochin (meaning “bucket light”) are cylindrical lanterns made of paper stretched over a split bamboo frame. Paper or silk protect the flame from wind. The chōchin hangs from a hook at the top. Traditional chochin can be folded flat for storage. They have been crafted in Japan as far back as 1085 and one appears in a 1536 illustration.

In Japan modern times, they are now used only for decorative purpose and range from fine crafts to cheap plastic trinkets. Chochin are particularly associated with informal Japanese pubs (izakaya).

Japanese Lanterns by Night

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Japanese Lanterns (chochin) by night in Osaka, Japan, July 10, 2018 - Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS
Japanese Lanterns (chochin) by night in Osaka, Japan, July 10, 2018 – Canon 77D, Canon 35mm f/2 IS

Street Photography and Luck

I stayed about twenty minutes waiting for somebody coming to take a photo. Just as I was ready to leave, I saw the man with the dog coming towards me. Then, when he was just at the right place, he stopped walking and turned the head to look at the chochins.

EXIF Data

Canon 77D, Canon 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 1600, 1/40 sec at f/4 – July 10, 2018

Google Street View, Japanese Lanterns in Osaka

The photo was shot in Osaka, about 500 meters from the train station Temma on the Loop Line. You can see the cross walk behind the two people, the man and the dog were on the right and I was on the left. Unfortunately, Street View doesn’t let you move to this place and anyway, the chochins are not installed.

Video – Edo Tegaki Chochin

Chochin Inside Temple, Kyoto

Chochin inside Yatadera Temple in Kyoto
Chochin inside Yatadera Temple in Kyoto

Osaka Fullscreen Slideshow Gallery

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View of the Umeda Sky Building from the Osaka Railway Station rooftop.
View of the Umeda Sky Building from the Osaka Railway Station rooftop.

All Photos from the Blog Shot in Japan

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Bicycle wheels and manhole covers with crosswalk in Tokyo, Japan.
All Photos from the Blog Shot in Japan