A revolving lantern (a decorative rotating lamp whose internal scenes move as it turns).
縁側に小さな走馬灯を吊るして、夏の夜に光を楽しんだ。
I hung a small revolving lantern on the porch and enjoyed its light on summer nights.
祭りの屋台には古い走馬灯が飾られていて、子どもたちが覗き込んでいた。
An old revolving lantern was displayed at the festival stall, and children were peering into it.
博物館の展示に、江戸時代の走馬灯が保存されていた。
A revolving lantern from the Edo period was preserved in the museum exhibition.
Figurative: a rapidly changing or flashing series of images or memories (as in 'life flashing before one's eyes'). Often used with 'のように'.
事故現場で意識がもうろうとし、走馬灯のように子どものころの光景が浮かんだ。
At the accident scene my consciousness faded and childhood scenes flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.
病床でこれまでの人生が走馬灯のように駆け巡ったという話を聞いた。
I heard stories of people on their sickbed saying their lives raced through their minds like a revolving lantern.
試合中に緊張で走馬灯のようにいろんな場面が頭をよぎったが、冷静にプレーした。
During the match, various scenes flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern from nervousness, but I played calmly.