行灯(あんどん)

A traditional Japanese lamp with a paper or cloth shade over a wooden or bamboo frame, originally lit by a candle or oil flame inside. Widely used from the Edo period onward as indoor lighting.

Common collocations

• 行灯(あんどん)の明(あ)かり: the light of a paper lantern
• 行灯(あんどん)を灯(とも)す: to light a paper lantern
• 丸行灯(まるあんどん): round paper lantern

Etymology

The reading あんどん is an irregular reading (熟字訓(じゅくじくん)) — the characters 行(あん)灯(どん) are not read according to their standard on'yomi or kun'yomi. The word may derive from the Chinese word for a portable lantern.

Cultural note

Today 行灯(あんどん) are used decoratively at traditional Japanese inns (旅館(りょかん)), restaurants, and during festivals. The word also appears in the expression 昼行灯(ひるあんどん) (a daytime lantern — a useless or dim-witted person).