Chochin are Japanese style lanterns with a candle inside to give light. Most have oval shades. They are made of Japanese paper on a frame of finely split bamboo hoops, and they can be collapsed flat when not in use.
They say that they were used widely as hand-carried lanterns and gate lamps during Edo period.(1603-)
But, now-a-days, they are not used functionally in our dairy life, but they are essential decorations for festivals and fairs. They are used strung along both sides of the street and hung from festival floats and before street stalls.
"Red lantern" is still synonymous with taverns because they often set a red lantern just outside the entrance.
And "Lantern carrier" is a person who works as a tool or advertisement of another person.
(by a members of Fukuoka SGG Club / Oct.3, 2013)
