Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Lanterns were made of paper set in a wooden framework, and those that were not meant
to be carried about could have either lamps or candles in them. Folding spherical or cyl-
indrical lamps were carried by officials, and bore on them the crest of a warrior family, or
a phrase equivalent to “official business.” Larger versions of these were used at festivals
to decorate shrines and temples. Shops would have fixed lanterns outside, with their name
or the goods they sold either written in black on white paper, or in silhouette. When pro-
cessions were held after dark, their way might be lit by flaring torches, and night festivals
were sometimes illuminated by bonfires; in the case of
shintō
ceremonial these might be
thought of as harboring the spirit of a deity.
(80)
Sake-
cups
,
viewed from above to show the dragon designs.
