What are Warosoku? 6 Things to Know about Japanese Candles

by Aidan McFarlane | CRAFT

© Warousoku Daiyo, Japanese Warosoku Candles

Traditional Japanese candles, known as warosoku are a uniquely shaped candle design with the power to captivate and calm observers with their large, yet graceful, clear flame. They hold great cultural significance in Japan and making them has become a sought-after activity for overseas visitors, particularly given their cruelty-free nature and pleasing aesthetics.

What is it that makes warosoku so special? Join us as we dive into the world of Japanese candles.

1. What are Warosoku Candles?

The word warosoku simple means Japanese (wa) candle (rosoku). Warosoku are made from bran rice and other plant extracts, and are known for their particular shape and distinctive scent when burning. The flame is also much larger than their western counterparts due to the wick being much thicker.

With the increasing appeal of vegan lifestyles, warosoku have had a second wind of popularity as the candles today are completely composed of plant-based materials.

2. What are the Features of Traditional Warosoku?

A traditional Japanese candle is about 7 cm long and burns for 25 to 30 minutes, while a western candle of a similar length would generally burn for a bit longer, about 35 to 40 minutes. This is due to the difference in the wick, which for warosoku is thicker and therefore burns with a more intense heat.

Traditionally, warosoku come in two different shapes, ikarigata and bogata. The ikarigata flares out at the top and slightly widens at the bottom, forming a narrow center. The shape is likened to that of an anchor, which is indeed the meaning of the term: ikari (anchor) gata (shape). This distinctive form allows the candle to burn gracefully and the wax melts away from the wick, leaving the flame mostly unaffected. The candles have a very subtle earthy smell and burn long and bright with no soot of drip due to its form.

Warosoku candle makers take a lot of pride in the traditional process of creating these candles and therefore you won’t find as many scented candle variants as you might in other countries. However, fans of colourful, creative candles should note that warosoku can be easily painted to make them truly your own.

3. How are Warosoku Candles Made?

Various vegetable oils and fats are used to make Japanese candles. Traditionally, wax is extracted from the outer shell of the nut of the Japanese sumac tree; this variant is called mokuwax. More controversially, the candle making process previously used whale blubber, although this practice has been phased out.

© Takazawa, Making Japanese Warosoku Candles

In modern times, many plant-derived raw materials have been researched and used, such as soy wax made from soybeans, and wax extracted from rice bran.

The candlemaker has a bowl of melted haze wax and a skewer-like tool. This required putting thin layers of wax onto the skewer and waiting for it to harden. Once the wax begins to take shape the next layer can be applied to the skewer. This process is repeated over and over again until the candle starts to take form.

During this process, different natural dyes can be used to add gradients of color to the candle. Once the candle has been layered up to the optimal width, the wax is hand modelled into the characteristic anchor shape.

Washi paper is used for the wick: soaked in haze wax, rolled up and threaded through a hole left by a skewer in the wax.

The process of making warousoku gives the candle a very tree-trunk like aesthetic with a ringed appearance through the centre of the candle.

The practice of painting warosoku is also a popular pastime for people interested in candle making, this is know as e-rosoku, or painted candles, which you can also buy premade.

4. How are Japanese Warosoku Traditionally Used?

In Japan Warosoku Candles are not customarily for casual use at dinner parties. They first came into use in buddhist ceremonies as early as the 7th century in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, as a necessary tool to guiding and communicating with spirits and gods.

Japanese Candle — © Takazawa, Japanese Warosoku Candle

You will often find them used in prayer in Japanese in-house shrines, temples, or gravesites. They are thought to help the individual communicate, or be closer to the realm of the spirits. The candles are lit as a beacon of communication between the two worlds and are thus used accordingly, lining many ritual rooms in temples and shrines to ‘spiritually prime’ the space for rituals and rites.

5. What Other Ways Can you Use Warosoku Candles Today?

Nonetheless, these days, warosoku can be used for all sorts of reasons. Their vivid light and distinctive smell would make the perfect accompaniment to a nice meditative soak in the bath, or for self meditation, or simply to achieve your own sense of mindfulness.

Knowing their historical significance and general usage in the Japanese cultural context may help you to find a place for your own warosoku that works for you.

Warosoku candles require a small device called a wick-trimmer, usually included in the box. As the candle’s wick is relatively thick, it leaves a larger amount of burnt carbon as the flame progresses. In order to keep a smokeless experience, it is best to cut the wick occasionally when the flame starts to distor.

6. Where to Buy Japanese Candles?

If you would like to have a spin at making your own candles and you happen to be in Japan, check out Haze in Saitama, near Tokyo. Haze offers a workshop where you can learn and follow along as you become a vegan candle artisan and learn something about the art of Japanese candle making.

Kyorosoku is a Kyoto-based candlemaker, famous for decorated, painted warosoku since 1887. Kyorosoku’s signature Japanese aesthetic is very visually appealing and could be used as a decoration around your home. They have recently collaborated with Disney to bring you Disney licensed warosoku!

Warousoku Daiyo are one of the best-known names is Japanese candles, and have been at the forefront of bringing the craft to the world for four generations. Their online store features a wonderful collection of warosoku candles, which come in a tasteful decorative box with a traditional Japanese illustrations.

Takazawa started making candles way back in 1892, in Nanao, Ishikawa. Their candles are made from a variety of ingredients including haze, rice bran, canola flower oil and fruit of the urushi tree. Takazawa does a full range of candles, not only warosoku, in a variety of interesting shapes. Mindfulness and relaxation are promoted strongly when using the Takazawa candle!