Stone lanterns (灯籠/灯篭/灯楼) are a type of traditional East Asian lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and Japan. In Japan, were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha. Their use in Shinto shrines and also private homes started during the Heian period (794–1185). Stone lanterns have been known in China as early as the Han dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE), and prevailed from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties all the way up to the Tang Dynasty, when they were introduced to Japan. The oldest extant bronze and stone lanterns in Japan can be found in Nara. Taima-dera has a stone lantern built during the Nara period, while Kasuga-taisha has one of the following Heian period. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1600), stone lanterns were popularized by tea masters, who used them as garden ornaments. Soon they started to develop new types according to the need. In modern gardens they have a purely ornamental function and are laid along paths, near water, or next to a building. can be classified in two main types: lit. 'hanging lamp' (釣灯籠/掻灯/吊り灯籠), which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and lit. 'platform lamp' (台灯籠), used in gardens and along the approach of a shrine or temple. The two most common types of are the bronze lantern and the stone lantern, which look like hanging lanterns laid to rest on a pedestal. In its complete, original form (some of its elements may be either missing or additions), like the and the pagoda, the represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents, the earth; the next section represents , or water; or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while (air) and (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. The segments express the idea that after death a person's physical body will go back to their original, elemental form.

Hanging lanterns

Also called kaitomoshi (掻灯), hanging lanterns are small, four- or six-sided and made in metal or wood. They were introduced from China via Korea during the Nara period and were initially used in Imperial palaces.

Bronze lanterns

Bronze lanterns, or gilt bronze lantern (金銅燈籠) have a long history in Japan, but are not as common or as diverse in form as the stone ones. In their classic form they are divided in sections that represent the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. Many have been designated as Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese government. The one in front of Tōdai-ji's for example has been declared a National Treasure. Kōfuku-ji has in its museum one built in 816 and which is also a National Treasure.

Stone lanterns

(platform lantern) are most often made of stone; in this case, they are referred to as lit. 'stone lantern' (石灯籠). One of the main historic centres of production of stone lanterns is Okazaki, Aichi. The traditional stonemasonry there was registered by the government as a Japanese craft in 1979.

Structure

[[File:Diagram of a Japanese three-legged garden lamp.jpg|thumb|Stone lantern diagram:A. or , B. , C. , D. , E. , F.]] The traditional components of a stone (or bronze) lantern are, from top to bottom: The lantern's structure is meant to symbolize the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. With the sole exception of the fire box, any parts may be absent. For example, an, or movable lantern (see below) lacks a post, and rests directly on the ground. It also may lack an umbrella.

Types

Stone lanterns can be classified into five basic groups, each possessing numerous variants.

Pedestal lanterns

Tachidōrō (立ち灯籠), or pedestal lanterns, are the most common. The base is always present and the fire box is decorated with carvings of deer, peonies or other figures. More than 20 subtypes exist. The following are among the most common:

Buried lanterns

Ikekomi-dōrō (活け込み燈籠), or buried lanterns, are moderately sized lanterns whose post does not rest on a base, but goes directly into the ground. Because of their modest size, they are used along paths or at stone basins in gardens. The following are some examples:

Movable lanterns

Oki-dōrō (置き燈籠), or movable lanterns, owe their name to the fact that they just rest on the ground, and are not fixed in any way. This type probably derived from hanging lanterns, which they often strongly resemble, left to rest on the ground. They are commonly used around house entrances and along paths. One example of a movable lantern would be the lit. 'three lights lantern' (三光灯籠), a small stone box with a low roof. Its name, "three lights lantern", is due to its windows, shaped like the sun and the moon in the front and rear, and like a star at the ends. This type of lantern is usually placed near water. It can be found in the garden of the Katsura Villa.

Legged lanterns

Yukimi-dōrō (雪見燈籠), or legged lanterns, have as a base not a post but from one to six curved legs, and a wide umbrella with a finial either low or absent. Relatively low, they are used exclusively in gardens. The traditional placement is near the water, and a three-legged lantern will often have two legs in the water, and one on land. The umbrella can be round or have from three to eight sides, while the fire box is usually hexagonal. Legged lanterns were probably developed during the Momoyama period, but the oldest extant examples, found at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto, go back only to the early Edo period.

Nozura-dōrō (野面灯籠) are lanterns made with rough, unpolished stones.

Gallery

Hanging metal lanterns

Bronze lanterns

Stone lanterns

variants