Japanese traditional culture ~ 1 ~ chou chin

Chou chin is the object like ball.

 

When you travel in Japan, You would see the light fixture like above. This light fixture is called ''chou chin =ちょうちん　提灯''

This light fixture illuminate the surrounding softly. Usually, the coller of chou chin is red.
For Japanese people, many people would remind the bar ( pub ), seeing this chouchin because
nowadays, we see this chouchin in front of the bar.
  The history of chochin goes back to before Edo period(1603~1868).
Peple used to carry with this chouchin when they walk around at night. So, this chou chin was
like a flashlight at that time. People used to set candle inside the chou chin. But nowadays, Japanese people would not always do so (just use electric light) because it causes a fire.
 Before the Edo period, only high class people can use this chouchin. After the Edo period,
this become popular among normal people. But we usually don't carry with this chou chin
in daily life.