Hanging the Japanese glass fish float

Aloha everyone!

1st post here.

I'm wondering about the history & proper display of the popular A frame entryway fish float.

What is the significance of a Tiki A frame sporting the attention commanding fish floats?

Is there a proper method as to where it hangs? Should it be tucked up under the A frames apex or extended outward? If outward, how is it stabilized and waterproofed in excess rain/windy conditions?

Is proper Tiki etiquette of said decoration to be lit up or not? Also, how big is too big?

Any info. on the classic entryway fish floats is appreciated being I'm currently designing my outdoor Tiki bar. Construction starts 1st week of 2024. :) Stoked!

Mahalo

[ Edited by Maleko on 2023-12-21 12:57:51 ]

Welcome Maleko, congrats of plans for the new Tiki Bar! You ask a lot of questions I don't have answers to LOL Here's what I do know. As far as waterproofing - Keeping the globe intact (not drilling a hole for a light bulb) helps keep them clean inside. Hanging them in a shaded/protected area out of direct sunlight helps preserve the netting and possibly the color of the glass. But remember they were designed to be tossed on the waves of the sea, out in the elements - they are pretty well weatherproof by design. They look really nice lighted especially at night, most people do light theirs. I like to light them from the top with an LED "puck" type light. Keeps them sealed/clean inside and doesn't risk breaking when drilling. Size of the globe will depend of the scale of your A-Frame (or other hanging area). Enjoy!

Thanks, Mike.

I never thought about the inside cleanliness. Good point.

Would you happen to have a link to the puck lights mentioned?

Aloha!

"How big is too big?"

Personally, you can never get too big in my opinion! I just acquired a gorgeous 14-inch float recently, and I'm still thinking bigger... Some of the float lamps I've seen - at Kowloon in particular - are nearly two feet across! I suppose it's a matter of scaling to the space that you have.

Thanks

[ Edited by Maleko on 2024-02-01 16:29:23 ]