Japanese candles are said to have been introduced from China along with Buddhism. It is believed that the technique for making them was brought to Nagoya from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture in the late 17th century. Japanese candles are made from wood wax extracted from the fruit of the Japanese wax tree, a wick made from rush grass, and Japanese paper. Being plant-based, they have characteristics such as extremely low soot compared to Western candles and a flame that is less likely to be extinguished by wind. Additionally, the wick is coated multiple times to thicken it, resulting in a cross-section that resembles the growth rings of a tree. A traditional craft of Aichi Prefecture.