About TOKAI SEIRO
Creating Candles That Will Live On in the History of Japan's "Light"
This is what gives us our sense of purpose. We pursue excellence one step at a time, striving ever higher in everything we do.
When a newly developed product takes root in the market, it becomes proof that we lived and created during this era.
We do not chase volume — we pursue quality. We are committed to delivering authentic candles to our discerning customers, those who find beauty and tranquility in the safe, steady flame born of consistent craftsmanship.
Lighting a Candle Can Change Japan.
Our wish is to pass down, for all eternity, the "culture of light" — a tradition that arrived in our country more than 1,400 years ago and has played a vital role in shaping the Japanese identity.
Offering candles.
Burning incense.
The whole family joining hands in prayer.
Revering the great gods and Buddhas, and offering sincere gratitude to one's ancestors.
This small yet enduring part of daily life has, through the long passage of time, continued to purify our spirit.
It has shaped the values of the Japanese people — a people who hold courtesy in high regard, who see tolerance, humility, and integrity as virtues, and who believe in the importance of sincere, dedicated effort.
It is recorded that Westerners who visited Japan after the country opened its borders were greatly astonished by the depth of consideration and hospitality shown even among ordinary citizens.
The growth of Japanese companies into global economic powerhouses was supported by uniquely Japanese institutions — the keiretsu system, seniority-based promotion, and lifetime employment. The safe and cohesive communities in which people could live with peace of mind were likewise built upon values that the Japanese people had refined over their long history.
And yet, when we turn our eyes to the world around us today, troubling incidents fill the pages of the news each day, and insidious bullying continues to pervade schools and workplaces. Japan now faces a critical situation, with the collapse of local economies — symbolized by shuttered shopping streets — and the hollowing out of industry as manufacturing moves away from domestic shores.
Many of these problems, we believe, stem from the fact that the values so carefully passed down through generations have, in recent years, been neglected and cast aside. The cost of placing excessive emphasis on rationality and economic efficiency alone — under the banner of free-market ideology — has proven to be an immense one.
It is for this reason that we believe a society in which happiness can be shared is only possible by rekindling a deep appreciation for Japanese values, and by actively embracing — with the involvement of the next generation — the culture, customs, and traditions that form their very foundation.
Our efforts represent an attempt to make the following flow an eternal river: "Offering good candles safely" → "Incense is used" → "Demand for Buddhist and Shinto altar items grows" → "More households come to have butsudan and kamidana" → "The beautiful spirit of Japan is passed on to future generations."
It is, without question, a grand and time-consuming endeavor of enlightenment — but we consider it work well worth doing. We humbly ask for your support and encouragement as we continue on this path.
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History
- Early Meiji Era
- Gensaburo Akuzawa, the first-generation founder, establishes "Akuzawa Shoten" in Yokohama as a wholesaler of oils and Japanese candles (Wa-rousoku).
- 1877 (Meiji 10)
- Using paraffin wax as the primary material and the molding method, the company pioneers the manufacture of Western-style candles in Japan. April 10th — the date the first candle-making machine was introduced — is commemorated as the company's founding anniversary.
- 1895 (Meiji 28)
- The second-generation owner, Akira Fukuda, develops a container candle — a tin-shaped vessel filled with soft "Ame-ro" wax — designed to illuminate the hulls of ships at the Yokohama Port shipyard. It becomes an explosive hit for its time.
- 1911 (Meiji 44)
- A new candle is conceived: short and stout, yet remarkably powerful in light. It is released under the name Daruma Candle. This name would go on to become synonymous with small candles used as votive lights (o-tomyo).
- 1926 (Taisho 15)
- Akira Fukuda, dissatisfied that white-wicked candles became indistinguishable from other manufacturers' products once removed from the box, releases candles with colored wicks — Red Wick (Sekishin) and Blue Wick (Seishin). The red wick is named "Sekishin-ro" (the candle of a sincere heart) and the blue wick "Seishin-ro" (the candle of a pure heart). This innovation also proves effective in centering the wick during production, leading to a significant improvement in even burning and beautiful flame quality.
- 1933 (Showa 8)
- The third-generation owner, Teiichiro, devotes himself to researching the balance between wick and wax absorption, guided by the belief that "combustion is the very soul of a candle." He achieves a candle that maintains a triangular flame, burns completely, and emits a pure, platinum-like light.
- 1944 (Showa 19)
- The Yokohama factory is lost to war damage.
- 1945 (Showa 20)
- A new factory is established in Nishimachi, Fujinomiya. Due to raw material shortages, candles are sometimes produced using beef tallow and whale oil.
- 1979 (Showa 54)
- Tokai Seiro Co., Ltd. is formally established. The company sets its sights on creating products that go beyond the fundamental ideal of "two candles burning completely without soot or dripping," adding the dimension of "burning away beautifully and gracefully."
- 1980 (Showa 55)
- The Candleholder Mat is conceived and released — designed to keep candleholders clean and hygienic at all times.
- 1981 (Showa 56)
- Hana Candle (commercial use) is released for the temple and funeral parlor market, laying the groundwork for the future launch of Hana Murasaki.
- 1983 (Showa 58)
- A new factory is completed on the banks of the Uruigawa River, fed by the waters of Mount Fuji. Spring water at a constant 14°C is drawn from 150 meters below ground.
- 1984 (Showa 59)
- The Handmade Candle Set is released, quite literally igniting the handmade candle boom.
- 1985 (Showa 60)
- The premium candle Hana Murasaki is released through Buddhist altar store channels, embodying the traditional beauty of Japan. The company pursues product development rich in atmosphere and storytelling.
- 1986 (Showa 61)
- The Printed Candle is developed. Unlike conventional transfer printing techniques, it employs a direct printing method. The ink breaks down at a microscopic level during combustion and is drawn up through the wick, enabling complete burning.
- 1987 (Showa 62)
- A fully automated machine for small candles is introduced. Computer control achieves complete automation from the sealed circuit through to the finished product.
- 1988 (Showa 63)
- Through computer control, the world's shortest candles — Mago Daruma and Hime Daruma — are developed. An application is submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records.
- 1990 (Heisei 2)
- The premium Tsukiakari Candle is released, sold exclusively through specialty stores.
- 1992 (Heisei 4)
- Hanagoyomi is launched, featuring eight colors of wicks inspired by the flowers of each season.
- 1993 (Heisei 5)
- The headquarters building is constructed near the Asamacho factory.
- 1994 (Heisei 6)
- Oakari and Okawari, candles for grave visits, are released.
- 1996 (Heisei 8)
- Oinori, a candle for prayer and wishes, is released.
- 1997 (Heisei 9)
- The elegantly glowing Akaritsubo (Lotus Series) is released in four colors. The Tsukiakari Candle series expands to include an ultra-short, wide 10-hour and 3-hour variety.
- 1998 (Heisei 10)
- Kihada is released, recreating the texture and warmth of traditional Japanese wax (Hon-waro).
- 1999 (Heisei 11)
- Lily is released, inspired by Monet's Water Lilies.
Moe, a new creative candleholder that burns down to the very last drop without leaving any residual wax, is released. Patent registered. - 2000 (Heisei 12)
- Hikarugenji, the shortest candle with a perfectly uniform hole structure, is released. It is promoted alongside Moe under the message "Peace of Mind Guaranteed."
- 2001 (Heisei 13)
- Yukidaruma — a white candle with a white wick, offering a safe 8-minute burn — is released.
Miakari Petit and Miakari Futo 20min, packaged together with incense as a gift set, are released.
Hoshinoshizuku, evoking stars twinkling in the night sky, is released. - 2002 (Heisei 14)
- The Miakari series expands to include a wide 2-hour variety.
- 2003 (Heisei 15)
- Fleur, a flower candle whose vessel doubles as an incense holder, is released.
Hanagenji, a painted candle (e-rousoku) featuring flowers of the four seasons as depicted in Heian-era picture scrolls, is released. - 2004 (Heisei 16)
- Lumière — a single-use candle in eight colorful wick varieties, with an 8-minute burn time — is released.
- 2005 (Heisei 17)
- Yufugure is released. Conceived under the concept of "offering peace of mind," it brings together Moe and Hikarugenji as a gift set.
- 2006 (Heisei 18)
- Inoru Toki (a prayer candle), Hongan (presented in a paulownia wood box), and Joshu (a calligraphy brush exclusively for candles) are released. These include a square-pillar candle designed for easy writing, and a pen that allows text to be inscribed on the candle with the natural feel of a brush.
- 2009 (Heisei 21)
- Yasuragi — a complete-combustion candleholder housed in a glass vessel — is released. As no wax residue remains, there is no need for cleaning, and the risk of fire is eliminated, making it a safe candleholder.
- 2010 (Heisei 22)
- Cube Ten — a single-use candle in a square shape designed for easy gripping, with a 10-minute burn time — is released.
- 2011 (Heisei 23)
- Urban, a compact safety candleholder designed for use with small butsudan, is released.
- 2013 (Heisei 25)
- Tenshi no Namida joins the lineup of single-use candles.
- 2014 (Heisei 26)
- Hibiki — a single-use candle with an 8-minute burn time, featuring wicks in three traditional Japanese colors: Kincha (golden brown), Rokusho (verdigris green), and Enji (deep crimson) — is released.
Rakuraku Chakkā, a fire starter made from colorful cotton threads soaked in wax, is released. It is ideal for lighting incense outdoors, as well as for starting wood stoves and barbecues. - 2015 (Heisei 27)
- Obon Mukaebi & Okuribi is released, offering a form of the traditional Obon welcoming and sending-off fire suited to modern lifestyles. It enables the practice of Mukaebi and Okuribi even in urban areas and apartments.
- 2020 (Reiwa 2)
- Anshin Kukan is released, allowing candles and incense to be used without the risk of fire. Made from non-combustible metal, it prevents fire even if a candle or incense should fall inside.
A magnet-equipped version of Moe — featuring a magnet on the base for secure attachment to Anshin Kukan — is released to prevent the candleholder from tipping over. - 2021 (Reiwa 3)
- Hana Murasaki MINI, a single-use candle with a 10-minute burn time, is released.
- 2022 (Reiwa 4)
- Anshin Kukan Set — combining Anshin Kukan with a photo frame, tip-resistant candleholder, incense burner, candle holder, and incense holder — is released, allowing candles and incense to be offered more safely and compactly.
- 2023 (Reiwa 5)
- Oakari Set — combining the patent-registered candleholder Moe, which burns candles to completion without leaving residual wax, with either Tsukiakari Candle Futo Hachifun or Hana Murasaki MINI — is released as a gift item.
Obon no Osonae — a gift set combining Obon Mukaebi & Okuribi with Ohakamairi, a fire-starter incense convenient for lighting incense at gravesites — is released. - 2024 (Reiwa 6)
- Chiisai Moe — a smaller version of the residue-free candleholder Moe, with the same functionality but at less than half the height, available in black and white — is released. Its low center of gravity provides greater stability, making it ideal for use with compact butsudan and kamidana.