A bamboo lantern craft activity
竹灯籠づくり体験
For the 2017 110th anniversary event of Fukushima City, the Yoshitsune Summit, we illuminated the Sato clanʼ s family temple, Ioji Temple in Iizakamachi, Fukushima City which Yoshitsune visited long ago, with bamboo lanterns as an initiative aimed at attracting visitors from across Japan. In this way, we were able to welcome the visiting sightseers. And after receiving positive feedback from those visitors, we planned to continue our efforts. We gathered volunteers and launched the bamboo lantern group, Taketoro-no-Kai.
Everyone from children to seniors can easily enjoy safely creating a lantern using an electric drill in this bamboo lantern craft activity. Just stick your favorite pattern onto the bamboo, drill holes and shine light through the openings, and youʼ ll have a bamboo lantern to relax you anytime you look at it. All participants experience opening
 ①Choose a piece of bamboo that you like. |
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 ②Choose a bamboo lantern design. |
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 ③Stick your chosen pattern onto the bamboo. |
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 ④Drill holes in the bamboo as the design indicates. |
 ⑤After drilling the holes, peel away the design paper. |
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 ⑥Place a light inside the bamboo lantern. |
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 ⑦Turn on the light, and you’re done! |
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 ⑧You’ve made a bamboo lantern with a soft and wondrous light! |
①Choose a piece of bamboo that you like. |
②Choose a bamboo lantern design. |
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③Stick your chosen pattern onto the bamboo. |
④Drill holes in the bamboo as the design indicates. |
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⑤After drilling the holes, peel away the design paper. |
⑥Place a light inside the bamboo lantern. |
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⑦Turn on the light, and you’re done! |
⑧You’ve made a bamboo lantern with a soft and wondrous light! |
| ＜Activity fee＞ | Per person each session Adult ¥2,000 (including tax) Child ¥1,000 (including tax) *The fee covers material costs (one piece of bamboo),equipment use (electric drill) and instruction.(separate charge for lights) *Child fee applies to children of high-school age and younger. Children of elementary-school age or younger should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. *You may view and explore the temple freely after the activity. |
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| ＜Dates＞ | Every Thursday and Saturday |
| ＜Activity Time Schedule＞ | Each craft session starts at 10 a.m. *Please arrive at Rurikozan Ioji Temple by 10 minutes before the starting time. *Group assembly and payment (by 9:50) The bamboo lantern craft activity is planned to last from 10 a.m. to around noon. |
| ＜About the event venue＞ | *Please arrive at Rurikozan Ioji Temple by 10 minutes before the starting time. *Group assembly and payment (by 9:50) The bamboo lantern craft activity is planned to last from 10 a.m. to around noon. Rurikozan Ioji Temple of the Buzan school of the Shingon Sect (Iizamachi, Fukushima City) 960-0231 Teramae, Hirano, Iizakamachi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture Official website MAP |
| ＜About parking＞ | Visitors who arrive by car may park in parking lot No. 1 or 2. |
| ＜About Rurikozan Ioji Temple＞ | This was the family temple of the Sato family, a branch of the Northern Fujiwara clan who controlled Iizaka. Historical figures from the times of the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s retainers Tsugunobu and Tadanobu Sato, as well as their parents Motoharu and Otowa Sato, all have graves here. In the fifth lunar month of 1689, Matsuo Basho also came here and wept at the thought of the Sato brothers who had helped Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and composed a haiku: “Oi mo tachi mo / satsuki ni kazare / kaminobori” or “satchel and sword, too, displayed for Fifth month: carp streamers” (translation by D. Barnhill). Camellias were planted inside the temple grounds after the demise of the Sato family. The sadness of Otowa, who had lost her children Tsugunobu and Tadanobu, moved into these flowers. Known as the mysterious “Otowa’s camellias,” they remain as closed buds without blooming until they finally fall to the ground. Make sure to keep an eye out for them when you come to experience the bamboo lantern craft activity.
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| ＜Required time＞ | about two hours |
| ＜Application deadline:＞ | 5 days prior to the session date. |
| ＜Number of participants (limit)＞ | 15 per session (participation on a first-come basis; at least 1participant required for session to operate) |
| ＜payment method＞ | cash payment on site |
| ＜Inquiries＞ |
Taketoro-no-Kai TEL.090-9746-7495 Reception time:9:00 to 17:00 |
| ＜Cautionary points＞ | ◎You may bring home the bamboo lantern that you make. *Please refrain from bringing home bamboo pieces from incomplete works or design plans. ◎Please be aware that because bamboo lanterns are made from natural materials, there ◎We will ask you to complete a simple questionnaire. |