1.
paper lantern; andon lamp; traditional Japanese lamp
A traditional Japanese lamp consisting of a paper or cloth shade stretched over a wooden or bamboo frame, originally lit by a candle or oil flame inside. Widely used from the Edo period as indoor lighting.
行灯の明かりが部屋を照らす。
The light of the paper lantern illuminates the room.
旅館の入り口に行灯が置かれていた。
A paper lantern was placed at the entrance of the inn.
江戸時代の人々は行灯の光で本を読んでいた。
People in the Edo period read books by the light of paper lanterns.
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:
- 行灯の明かり: the light of a paper lantern
- 行灯を灯す: to light a paper lantern
- 丸行灯: round paper lantern
ETYMOLOGY:
The reading あんどん is an irregular reading (熟字訓) — the characters 行灯 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 NOTES:
Today 行灯 are used decoratively at traditional Japanese inns (旅館), restaurants, and during festivals. The word also appears in the expression 昼行灯 (a daytime lantern — a useless or dim-witted person).