In celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June we’re honouring wa-rōsoku (和蝋燭), or Japanese candles. In contrast to most Western-made candles, which are often made out of beeswax or animal fats, traditional Japanese candles are crafted from natural fats sourced from plant matter. Historically, they were created for temples as a way to honour ancestors without killing animals against Buddhist beliefs. This makes them a brilliant vegan alternative to other candles.
Wa-rōsoku last longer, particularly in drafts, and they burn brighter and bigger, all with very little smoke. Not only that, painted Japanese candles (e-rōsoku) are individually hand-drawn by skilled painters, inspired by a centuries-old tradition of offering ancestors painted candles instead of real flowers in colder climates.