This brass candle holder is made using traditional casting techniques which have been passed down through generations for over 400 years in Takaoka, Japan. It is a collaboration between NOUSAKU and Takazawa Candle of Ishikawa Prefecture. The candle holders are designed for Takazawa's candles, however, the candle holder may also be used for standard candles that suit the size of the holder.
The NANAO Japanese candles are handcrafted by Takazawa Rousoku in Ishikawa Prefecture. These Japanese candles are made with techniques that have not changed since the 16th century and today are made by only a handful of Japanese craftsmen. These traditional Japanese candles are inspired by the beauty of nature in Noto Peninsula and are completely handmade. They give off very little smoke and a shine a brighter light than modern paraffin candles.
Takazawa Candle:
- Made in Japan
- ØXH: 2 x 11 cm
- 110 - 130 min burn time
- 100% Natural Japanese Sumac Wax
NOUSAKU Candle Holder:
- Made in Japan
- ØxH: 3.9 x 3.2 φcm
- Plated Brass – 60% copper / 40% zinc
- 130g (candle holder) (Total: 251g)
- Also pairs with TOHAKU Candle - Large (sold separately)
Please note that these sets are the last of a limited edition run and what's listed is the last of the available sets. Don't miss out!
Plant-Based
Takazawa Candle has been making candles from the grace of plants such as the fruits of sumac tree, rice bran, and rapeseed flower oil since 1892.
The first candles in Japan were brought in from China in the 8th century and made from bees wax. Bees wax, as a material, it was not familiar to our ancestors so they tried to make candles from the wax derived from plants. The sumac wax was soft and easy to form into the shape of a candle and so by the 16th century it had become the standard material for candle-making in Japan.
Aesthetic
A flickering flame has always fascinated us. It might evoke images in our mind, or memories from the past, or perhaps feelings about our primitive nature.
Our candles' flames are bigger and brighter than other companies. The flame comes from a special wick made from a unique recipe dating back to the 16th century, and it is the symbol of ancestral wisdom. At a time when there were no electric lights, light means candles, and a lot of thought was put into making candlelight brighter. Our wick is made from plant-based materials such as dried rush and washi-paper, thus symbolising the beautiful relationship between our ancestors and nature.
The powerful flame, flickering from the simple silhouette of a candle, producing shadows in a room, creates a great atmosphere that makes you feel relaxed while you spend time with your family and close friends.
History
Sumac wax from Kyushu region and Japanese paper (wa-shi) from Iwami (in Shimane Prefecture), used for wicks, were brought to Nanao to produce candles. The finished product was then transported throughout Japan by Kitamae ship. There were many guilds, which made candles, in Nanao until the late 19th century. Takazawa Candle was established in 1892. Today, we are the only candle maker keeps this tradition alive in Nanao.
Day at the factory
The day at the Takazawa Candle factory starts at 5 AM in winter and 6 o'clock in summer by lighting fires under the kettles to melt the wax.
We burn thinning from nearby forests on the Noto peninsula for three big kettle and put the raw wax into each one depending on which type of candles we'll be making that day.
To make a traditional Japanese candle, we start with the candle's wick. The wick is made by winding dried rushes around hollow cord of wa-shi (Japanese paper). The hollow core of the wick allows oxygen to be drawn up from the bottom so that the flame consumes more melted wax, thus increasing the combustion power and creating a powerful flame.
Next we create the candle shape by pouring melted wax into wooden or metallic moulds. After the wax has set, we remove it from the moulds and finish shaping by hand with a small knife.
Your cart is empty
Continue shoppingMaker Profile
Nousaku
Copperware production began in the city of Takaoka in 1611 when, two years after establishing Takaoka Castle, to revitalize the local industry, Maeda Toshinaga Lord of Kaga Domain (covering parts of present-day Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures) encouraged production by inviting seven imono copper-casting artisans to take up residence in the castle town. Initially, pots and kettles and other everyday household and agricultural items were made in the town but, eventually, town artisans did a flourishing trade in Buddhist altar items and, from the latter half of the 19th century, branched out into tea ceremony articles, ornaments and other arts and crafts items. Today Takaoka makes 90% of the production in Japan, from temple bells to bronze statues, of copper alloy vases, tea ceremony items, figures, and other craft goods. Most products are made by casting, that is, pouring molten metal into moulds and, depending on the size and type of object, artisans usually select one of four main casting techniques. In addition, another inherited local skill is engraving, which is used for applying various patterns to surfaces.
Using traditional skills and innovative technology to explore the new potential in casting.
Founded in 1916, Nousaku started out making copper-alloy cast works mainly for Buddhist altars. In the factory, you can still smell the sand of the moulds and feel the heat of molten metal as artisans craft each individual piece using inherited green-sand casting skills.
In recent years, leveraging our long-cultivated technology, working with tin as a raw material, we have also been creating contemporary design products. Among these are new Nousaku signature pieces: mesh-like flats of soft, 100%-pure tin that can be freely formed into shapes.
When our office has relocated to new premises at the end of April 2017, in a studio workshop, you will be able to experience casting for yourself and, in the cafe restaurant, to enjoy dining on meals served on tin tableware.
