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Japanese candle craftsman Koichi Tagawa

Candle artisan Koichi Tagawa hand-coating warosoku candles with wax in the traditional way

Lighting up tradition and illuminating the times.

He is the fourth generation owner of Nakamura Candle, a long-established Kyoto candle maker founded over 130 years ago. He is committed to using plant-based ingredients, using wood wax extracted from the nuts of the wax tree and handmade wicks made from Japanese paper and rush grass, and continues to uphold the traditional "hand-made method."

"Japanese candles are not just tools, but lights that connect hearts."

Tagawa puts into his Japanese candles the forms of "prayer" and "peace" that remain unchanged even in the changing times. The large, soft flame produced by the hollow wick that is unique to Japanese candles flickers slowly, as if breathing. Just watching this flickering brings people to a state of tranquility.

"May one candle enrich someone's precious time."

The products are made with the hope that traditional crafts will blend into modern daily life and serve as an opportunity to create "space" in our daily lives. The beauty of "Koto no Iro" and "Takara Tsukushi", which are painted by artists one by one, can only be achieved with the finest Japanese candles carefully selected by Mr. Tagawa.

The warmth and powerful light derived from plants is something that cannot be expressed through chemical products. What Tagawa delivers through his handiwork is not just light, but "quiet time" itself, which allows us to welcome a prosperous tomorrow.

Media Gallery

Cha no Ka warosoku candle lit by a window at dusk with a bonsai silhouette
Traditional hand-coating of warosoku candles — artisan's wax-covered hand
Hand-painted warosoku Japanese candle standing on a wooden garden table