Ishikawa, Japan
MEET NANAO CANDLEMAKERS
Light from Plants, Not Petroleum
“Light, at its origin, comes from nature.”
For over a century, these candlemakers have worked with the quiet gifts of the land. Their candles are made from plant-based sumac wax, harvested from the fruit of the Japanese haze tree, along with rice bran and rapeseed oils. This natural approach produces a clean, luminous flame that feels alive rather than industrial. Every candle is a reminder that light, at its origin, comes from nature.
Ancestral Fire, Living Knowledge
“A flame shaped by centuries of hands.”
At the heart of their work is a hollow wick made from dried rush and washi paper, based on a recipe that dates back to the 16th century. This unique structure draws oxygen from below, producing a tall, steady flame that burns brighter than conventional candles. Long before electricity, candlelight meant survival, ceremony, and connection. That wisdom still lives in every flame they make today.
A Workshop That Wakes with the Fire
“Each day begins where wax meets flame.”
Each morning begins by lighting the fires beneath large kettles to melt the wax. Forest thinnings from the nearby Noto Peninsula feed the heat, while each batch is prepared by hand depending on the candles being made that day. Wicks are wound by hand, wax is poured into molds, and each piece is finished with small knives. The rhythm of the workshop has remained unchanged for generations.
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