Vintage lanterns give inviting glow

Vintage gasoline lanterns manufactured dozens of years ago have a distinctive appeal, not only for camping but also in everyday life. Their designs and colours present the nostalgic atmosphere of a bygone era and they can bring a glow to your life if placed in the garden and on the balcony, or when used as a room ornament.

Gasoline lanterns can shine much brighter and for a longer time than oil lamps. They were created in the United States in the 19th century as a lighting device for daily use. As electric lighting spread, gasoline lanterns began to serve for leisure activities, too. Because of their simple structure and easy maintenance, they have been used for generations.

"If you properly care for your lantern, you can use it practically forever," said Naoki Ishikado, who operates Viblant, a store selling vintage lanterns in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. "I’m surprised its basic structure has remained unchanged over a century."

Ishikado added that most non-operating products can be repaired.

The most popular items at his store are red gasoline lanterns made in the United States from the 1950s to 1980s. Their features — a rounded appearance and fuel tanks thickly coated with rich colours — are eye-catching.

Scratches and dents are inevitable on the surfaces of aged items, but they "can rather increase their visual appeal," Ishikado said. "None (of the vintage lanterns) is identical to each other."

The price ranges from 10,000 yen (about $120) to tens of thousands of yen. His store sells British and Swedish products, too. White gasoline for fuel is available at outdoor supply stores.

You may think summer is the best season for camping, but Ishikado recommends autumn and winter for the use of lanterns. When you light a lantern outdoors, it makes a hissing sound. Hearing the sound melting into the natural surroundings makes people feel comfortable, Ishikado said.

Gasoline lanterns can add to your daily life as well. In a garden or on a balcony, the warm illumination from the lantern can create a happy, relaxed atmosphere for spending time with your family or guests. You can also read a book while enjoying a drink by lamplight on a balcony on a long autumn night.

Gasoline lanterns can also be a nice room ornament at home. Ishikado suggests remodelling gasoline lanterns to make them electric desk and floor lamps without changing their appearance.

Many lanterns are inscribed with their production year and month. Getting a product inscribed with your birth year and month or that of a family member adds to the fun.

However, you should cautiously choose places to use gasoline lanterns and treat them with great care as they involve gasoline and fire. You absolutely should not light them indoors.

Importantly, you should not use them in parks and riverside areas where using flammable substances is prohibited. Using fire is also prohibited in some apartment buildings and condominiums. At camping sites and other outdoor places, you should adjust their brightness considering the time and place.

"You just need to use the lantern appropriately to enjoy their warmth, which you can’t get from electric lighting," Ishikado said. "I hope you light your lantern for relaxation and have a wonderful time."

Battery-powered lanterns using light-emitting diodes are recommended for use by children, or indoors and in tents.

Some LED lanterns can switch between bright white light and mellow gold light. Some products can emit a flickering light that mimics genuine flames. They are useful not only for camping and leisure activities, but also to create a special space in your everyday environment.

— The Japan News