Methods & Materials
For over 200 years, Kojima Shoten Inc. has been making paper lanterns in the specialized method called jibari-style (地張式). The shop was founded in Kyoto during the Kansei era (1789–1801), and they continue to make the lanterns in the same way.
Jibari-style is unique to Kyoto lanterns (Kyō chōchin, 京提灯). Made of numerous thin bamboo strings that are arranged horizontally (brown below) and vertically connected with thread (red), this is the highest grade in Japan's lantern industry. This process makes the lantern stronger than the other method called “makibone style” (巻骨式) because the strings function as a frame. The flexible frame allows jibari-style lanterns to be foldable.
Step 1: Split the bamboo into thin strips (takewari, 竹割り). These strips will make the horizontal frame.
Step 3: Attach a small piece of washi paper to the bamboo string (takehigo, 竹ひご) and connect the edges.
Step 5: Apply glue to the thin strings and carefully place washi paper onto the frame (kamihari, 紙貼り).
For the "Make your own lantern" workshop, the craftsmen will bring special washi paper called Tosa tengujōshi (土佐典具帖紙). It is considered the world's thinnest (0.03mm) handmade paper. First used in Mino province (present day Gifu pref.), it was produced in the Muromachi era (1336-1573) and widely in use in the Tokugawa era (1603-1868). The paper is delicate but durable, so it was popular among painters and printers. Today it is known as “Tosa Stencil Paper" in the West.
In this style, “makibone style” (巻骨式), craftsmen bend bamboo strings (brown, below) around the bamboo frame (red) in a spiral. The shape of the lantern is round and beautiful, but it is very delicate.
Step 2: Measure the thinly sliced strips by ruler (jōgi dori, 定規取り). This process is to make sure the bamboo strings have uniform thinness and length.
Step 4: Hold the horizontally aligned strips with a cotton thread (itotsuri, 糸吊り) and make the frame of the lantern.
Step 6: The final step is to paint and decorate the lantern (etsuke, 絵付け).
