Toyama, Japan – Shokoji Temple, which was founded by Rennyo Shonin, uses two huge candles, 1.8 meter tall, during the temple’s annual Hoonko service.  This year, the service was conducted January 14-16.  In the past, many average-sized candles had been used to illuminate the main hall.  However, during the Taisho era (1912-1926), the town’s youth associations began competing to see who could donate the bigger candle, which led to the size of the candles in use today.