warosoku - colorful rice wax candles - set of 8

Warosoku means Japanese (wa) candle (rosoku). Warosoku are made from plant-based oils and fats such as from sumac or haze, rice bran, canola, or soy. They are known for their particular shape (similar to an anchor) and subtle earthy smell while burning. Their wick is think and made by twisting washi paper (note the washi paper that hiyoko imai uses for her art). We first handpicked warosoku for you at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, Japan, and we've been dreaming of bringing them in again. DAIYO was established in the Takashima county of Shiga Prefecture in 1914. The artisanship has been passed down across four generations, polished and refined as time passes. DAIYO’s Japanese candles are 100% made from natural plant wax.

This is an excerpt from DAIYO's webpage that I loved reading: "The space lit by a Japanese candles is boundless beyond your imagination. A cozy family meal around the dining table, a soak in a warm bath, a contemplative time on the bed as the day draws to an end. The Japanese candle is the best companion in any scenario. The slow burning of the Japanese candle is gentle, yet warms and lights up your life form within."

Each candle burns for 15 minutes and is perfect for a quick coffee break or meditation session. DAIYO uses rice bran wax as the natural raw material, ensuring it is not only environmentally friendly but also minimizes wax dripping and oil smoke, allowing you to use it with peace of mind. Packaged in an illustrated box featuring a cat and a mouse.

Fun fact! Japanese candles are made of natural wax only, such as rice bran wax, as in this series, allowing mice to feed on them. Japanese candle makers traditionally keep cats as guardians to repel mice. By extension, a candle shop with cats is a testament to the use of natural ingredients. Can you find another mouse inside the package?

dimensions: dia 10 x h45 mm, burn time 15 min., 10-pc pack

materials: rice bran wax, rush weed, WASHI-paper, silk fiber, dye

The flame of the warosoku is much larger than common candles due to the wick being much thicker. Warosokus burn gracefully and due to their shape, the flame remains mostly unaffected throughout the candle's burning period.

Warosoku candles are traditionally burnt at Buddhist temples, ceremonies and shrines. Today, they can be used in meditation practices, yoga, mindfulness, or whatever may speak to you, for their vivid light and earthy smell make them so special. 

Use a sharp paper clipper or a wick trimmer to shorten the warosoku's wick when the flame begins to distort so to avoid smoking from the paper wick.

Never leave a candle unattended!