noun
revolving lantern
A traditional lantern with a rotating inner cylinder that projects moving images, often depicting horses or scenes.
夏祭りで走馬灯を見た。
I saw a revolving lantern at the summer festival.
noun
life flashing before one's eyes; ever-changing scene
Idiomatic use, often in the phrase 走馬灯のように, likening a rapid succession of memories or images to the revolving lantern's moving pictures.
See also: 走馬灯のように駆け巡る
事故の瞬間、走馬灯のようにこれまでの人生が思い浮かんだ。
At the moment of the accident, my life flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.