"A candle born from "mottainai""
Candles are one of the indispensable items for temple events such as memorial services, funerals, and wakes
Once the candles used at such events are used, new candles are used again at the next event out of consideration for the participants.
At the temple where my husband was the abbot, there were still a large number of candles that could be used.
When I saw it, I thought, "It would be a waste to throw it away as it is when it can still be used."
The idea was to melt it down and use it as a wax base to make a new candle.
At first, I was self-taught, looking up how to make candles in books borrowed from the library and on the Internet.
At a children's party held at a temple, I used wax that melted candles that were supposed to be discarded
I had a candle making workshop
This was a great success!
I started to enjoy it, and I started going to candle classes because I thought, "If I'm going to teach people, I'm going to study properly."
As I studied wax, I learned that there are many different materials with unique characteristics.
For me, who has adopted an organic and natural lifestyle,
I was particularly attracted to plant and animal waxes.
There is wax that is purified from soybeans, palm trees, and bee secretions.
They are less likely to emit harmful substances and have the effect of purifying the air.
I decided to add color to the flowers used in the temple that I planned to throw away by making them into dried flowers.
The light that is born from it is very gentle
That kindness penetrates deeply into people's hearts.
I want to deliver such a gentle, ephemeral, and delicate light
One by one, carefully, with time and effort
And while chewing on the fun of making, I make candles.