Chochin

Chochin or paper lantern is a Japanese traditional lighting equipment used outdoors .
The lanterns are made by coiling split bamboo in spiral and pasting Japanese paper on it.

A candle is placed inside.
This design allows the lantern collapsible. 
People carried chochins when they were going out in the old days.

　　　　　　　　　KYOTO 　　　SHIMOGAMO SHRINE

Chochins are used even today in many occasions displaying related names and crests on their surfaces, although electric bulbs are used instead of candles. 

For examples, they are hung at the entrances of temples, shrines, theaters and Japanese style bars and restaurants.

 An array of many lanterns is useful to enhance the festive atomosphere.

　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　HIMEJI 　　GOKOKU SHRINE

　　　　　　　　　OSAKA 　HANJYO-TEI 　 RAKUGO theater

　　　　　　　　Japanese style bars and restaurants in Osaka