PurposeThis paper explores the sensory experiences and cultural meanings of light in Japan in relation to Japanese changing lighting practices. It demonstrates that these sensory experiences and cultural meanings form an integral part of social life in Japan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a blended approach that combines historical research and ethnographic data in the research on the meanings of light. The findings are presented in three parts. Two of them describe the social history of light, and the third draws on ethnographic data collected in suburban Japan.FindingsThe findings suggest that light in Japan has maintained a close symbolic connection with certain positive values despite the changing lighting practices. For example, light is related to cleanliness in early historical records on candle-making. In post-war Japan, new light metaphors such as “bright family” were invented to accommodate new aspirations for modernity and progress. In the latest development, the moral dimension of light is emphasised. This is evident in the concerns on being seen as a “bright person”, a person with a cheerful personality. Light in this way is related to the sensory experience of feeling a “social weight”, the pressure for one to act according to social norms.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to our anthropological understandings of light. It also provides a local case study of Japan, supported by original ethnographic research conducted by the author.

中文翻译：

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一个轻的负担：日本的光的文化话语

目的本文探讨日本光在日本不断变化的照明实践中的感官体验和文化意义。它表明这些感官体验和文化意义构成了日本社会生活的一个组成部分。设计/方法/方法本文在光的意义研究中采用了结合历史研究和民族志数据的混合方法。调查结果分为三个部分。其中两个描述了光的社会历史，第三个借鉴了在日本郊区收集的人种学数据。研究结果表明，尽管照明实践发生了变化，但日本的光仍与某些积极的价值观保持着密切的象征联系。例如，在蜡烛制作的早期历史记录中，光与清洁有关。在战后的日本，发明了诸如“光明家庭”之类的新灯光隐喻，以适应对现代性和进步的新愿望。在最新的发展中，强调了光的道德维度。这体现在对被视为“聪明人”、性格开朗的人的担忧中。这种光与感觉“社会重量”的感官体验有关，一种按照社会规范行事的压力。原创性/价值本文有助于我们人类学对光的理解。它还提供了由作者进行的原始民族志研究支持的日本当地案例研究。这体现在对被视为“聪明人”、性格开朗的人的担忧中。这种光与感觉“社会重量”的感官体验有关，一种按照社会规范行事的压力。原创性/价值本文有助于我们人类学对光的理解。它还提供了由作者进行的原始民族志研究支持的日本当地案例研究。这体现在对被视为“聪明人”、性格开朗的人的担忧中。这种光与感觉“社会重量”的感官体验有关，一种按照社会规范行事的压力。原创性/价值本文有助于我们人类学对光的理解。它还提供了由作者进行的原始民族志研究支持的日本当地案例研究。