提灯一筋にこだわり続けたからこそ
できることがある

提灯をつくること。
絶えることなく続いてきた伝統、
使う人の暮らしによりそう専門性。
鈴木茂兵衛商店の“ものづくり”を紹介します。

Our attention to every facet and every detail of our chochin means we can achieve unique wonders.

We create chochin.
With tradition constantly kept alive over the years, and expertise closely bound to the daily lives of users.
Here we will show you how SUZUKI MOHEI SHOTEN makes its creations.

Tradition and Expertise

伝統を築いた、人とのつながりや技術は、
新たな提灯づくりのために進みます。

Human relationships and the skills which have built our tradition will evolve toward the creation of new chochin (paper lanterns).

The tradition of our craftsmanship.

Having endlessly continued to make chochin for more than 150 years is not the only tradition which has kept us going on.
The presence of craftsmen is indispensable for the making of chochin (paper lanterns). The making of both traditional and modern chochin is supported by the craftsmanship of these artisans. Valuing our connections with such artisans and preserving their skills is also one of our important traditions.
We believe such mutual bonds and confidence over the years are what really supports our tradition.

The things that are changed and left unchanged.
The expertise of our craftsmanship.

Ever since our foundation, what we have been strongly concerned about is the functionality of chochin. They give us light when opened up and they can be folded and put away. The culture of folding is an invaluable part of Japanese culture which must be kept unchanged, for it was born from our thoughtful ideas in order to enjoy the rich seasonal changes and enrich our daily lives within the limited space given.
Yet at the same time it is also important to adapt those conventional chochin to meet the changing needs of people. To meet such various demands made upon chochin, we have already been developing diverse new products and technologies depending on the different situations they are used in. We intend to continue doing so in the future as well.
Our expertise is to never cease to continue practicing the following—to leave some things unchanged and to change others.

Our craftsmanship

提灯づくりを支える、
手作りの技法と
機械製造。
そのハイブリッド。

The handmade techniques and machine manufacturing which support the making of chochin, and a hybrid combination of these two.

The spirit of SUZUMO’s craftsmanship

The making of chochin proceeds by using various tools, both large and small, for each individual process. In addition to ready-made tools, there are tools which have been handmade by the artisans themselves, making fine adjustments so that they fit their hands for every respective process.

We even create our own original tools or upgrade those tools which have been in use for ages, in order to complete the process more quickly and more beautifully. The craftsmanship of SUZUMO encompasses the totality of not only the handwork of our craftsmen in making the chochin, but also the ideas and contrivances for making the tools and environment in which to fully demonstrate those skills.

The process of chochin-making

The techniques for making chochin are largely classified into two kinds depending on the structure of the firebox.
The first kind is the traditional thread technique, in which a number of bones are aligned in a ring and the thread is placed around them.

The second kind is the coiling technique, in which a single long bone is coiled around spirally.
For instance, the round chochin and MIC series are made using this coiling technique.