室町時代から伝わる山鹿灯籠は、金灯籠に始まり宮造り・座敷造り・城造りなど様様なものがあります。
その長年にわたる取り組みが認められ、平成25年12月経済産業大臣より伝統的工芸品に指定されました。
木や金具は一切使わず和紙と少量の糊だけで組み上げます。曲線部分はのりしろが無く紙の小口（厚み）だけで貼り合わせます。
なだらかな曲線を美しく仕上げる技術は鍛錬の成せる技（紙技）かみわざです。

Yamaga lanterns which have been handed down from the Muromachi period include various styles such as golden lanterns, miya-zukuri (shrines), zashiki-zukuri (houses) and shiro-zukuri (castles). In recognition of these long-standing efforts, the artworks were designated as traditional craft items by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in December 2013. No wood or metal fittings are used and the structures are built with just Japanese paper and small amounts of glue. The parts with curved lines do not overlap and are glued only with their edges (using the thickness of paper). The technique of making gentle and beautiful curved lines is a skill that requires at lot of training.