Signal fire (smoke signal) - Signal fire

Japanese: のろし(狼煙) - のろし

A method of communicating an emergency by emitting smoke or fire as a means of sending a signal from a distance. It has been used since ancient times, especially for urgent communication during wartime. Although signal fires from China and Japan are well known, signal fires have also been used as a means of communication since ancient times in Europe and America. The principle of signal fire is also seen in natural phenomena, such as active volcanoes in Italy that spew smoke and fire, providing ships sailing in the Mediterranean with a convenient way to determine their direction at any time of the day or night. The most familiar examples of signal fire are those of American Indians, but there are also examples of signal fires used by the Picts of Britain, who were invaded by the Roman Empire in the 1st century, to warn of danger.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

遠方から合図を送る手段として発煙，発火により緊急事態を伝達する方法。古来とりわけ戦時の急を要する連絡用として用いられた。中国，日本ののろしが知られるが，ヨーロッパやアメリカにおいても，のろしはコミュニケーションの手段として古くから用いられた。のろしの原理は自然現象にもみられ，煙と火を噴き上げるイタリアなどの活火山は，地中海を航行する船に昼夜を問わず方位を知るための便を供した。のろしの実例としてはアメリカ･インディアンの例がなじみが深いが，1世紀にローマ帝国の侵入をうけたイギリスのピクト人が危険を知らせるために用いた例などがある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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