View source for Stone lantern

{{short description|Traditional Chinese and Japanese lantern}}
{{Redirect|Japanese lantern|the plants|Physalis alkekengi|and|Hibiscus schizopetalus}}
[[File:HiroshimaShukkeienLantern7324.jpg|thumb|{{transliteration|ja|Tōrō}} at [[Shukkei-en]] Garden]]
{{nihongo|'''Stone lanterns'''|灯籠/灯篭/灯楼||extra=Chinese: {{transliteration|zh|dēnglóng}}; Japanese: {{transliteration|ja|tōrō}}, meaning 'light basket', 'light tower'}}{{efn|{{lang|ja|灯篭}} is the simplified form of {{lang|ja|灯籠}}.}} 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.<ref name="KM"/> In Japan, {{transliteration|ja|tōrō}} were originally used only in [[Buddhist temples in Japan|Buddhist temples]], where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha.<ref name=hunt>
{{cite web
 | title= Japanese Stone Lanterns
 | publisher= The Huntington, Library, Art collections and Botanical Gardens
 | url= http://www.huntington.org/uploadedFiles/Files/PDFs/BGJGlanterns.pdf
 | access-date= 21 April 2010
}}
</ref> Their use in [[Shinto shrine]]s and also private homes started during the [[Heian period]] (794–1185).<ref name=iwa/>

[[File:Tang Stone Lamp (9913024774).jpg|thumb|Tang Dynasty stone lantern]]
Stone lanterns have been known in China as early as the [[Han dynasty]] (202 BCE–220 CE), and prevailed from the [[Wei-Jin period|Wei, Jin]], [[Northern and Southern dynasties|Southern and Northern Dynasties]] all the way up to the [[Tang dynasty|Tang Dynasty]], when they were introduced to Japan. The oldest extant bronze and stone lanterns in Japan can be found in [[Nara, Nara|Nara]]. [[Taima-dera]] has a stone lantern built during the [[Nara period]], while [[Kasuga-taisha]] has one of the following Heian period.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://100.yahoo.co.jp/detail/%E7%81%AF%E7%B1%A0/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111222241/http://100.yahoo.co.jp/detail/%E7%81%AF%E7%B1%A0/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2013|title=Tōrō|encyclopedia=Shogakukan Encyclopedia on line|publisher=Yahoo! Japan|language=ja|access-date=19 April 2010}}</ref>

During the [[Azuchi-Momoyama period]] (1568–1600), stone lanterns were popularized by [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea masters]], who used them as [[garden ornaments]].<ref name="KM"/> 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.<ref name="hunt"/>

{{transliteration|ja|Tōrō}} can be classified in two main types: {{nihongo3|{{lit|hanging lamp}}|釣灯籠/掻灯/吊り灯籠|tsuri-dōrō}}, which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and {{nihongo3|{{lit|platform lamp}}|台灯籠|dai-dōrō}}, used in gardens and along the approach ({{transliteration|ja|[[sandō]]}}) of a shrine or temple.<ref name="iwa"/> The two most common types of {{transliteration|ja|dai-dōrō}} 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 {{transliteration|ja|[[gorintō]]}} and the [[pagoda]], the {{transliteration|ja|dai-dōrō}} represents the [[Five elements (Japanese philosophy)|five elements]] of Buddhist cosmology.<ref name="OMP">{{cite web|url=http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/5-elements-pagoda-gravestone.html|title=Five Element Pagodas, Stupas, Steles, Gravestones|publisher=Onmark Productions|access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents {{transliteration|ja|chi}}, the earth; the next section represents {{transliteration|ja|sui}}, or water; {{transliteration|ja|ka}} or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while {{transliteration|ja|fū}} (air) and {{transliteration|ja|kū}} (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==
[[File:Tanzan jinja lanterns at balcony.jpg|thumb|240 px|Hanging lanterns ({{transliteration|ja|tsuri-dōrō}}) at [[Tanzan Shrine]]]]

Also called {{nihongo||掻灯|kaitomoshi}}, {{transliteration|ja|tsuri-dōrō}} hanging lanterns are small, four- or six-sided and made in metal<ref name="JAANUS"/> 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 {{nihongo3|gilt bronze lantern|金銅燈籠|kondō-dōrō}} 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 {{transliteration|ja|[[Main Hall (Japanese Buddhism)|Daibutsuden]]}} for example has been declared a [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasure]].<ref name="kfj">{{cite web|url=http://www.kohfukuji.com/property/cultural/028.html|title=Kokuhō Jūyō Bunkazai - 金銅燈籠|publisher=Kōfuku-ji|language=ja|access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref> [[Kōfuku-ji]] has in its museum one built in 816 and which is also a National Treasure.

== Stone lanterns ==
{{transliteration|ja|Dai-dōrō}} (platform lantern) are most often made of stone; in this case, they are referred to as {{nihongo3|{{lit|stone lantern}}|石灯籠|ishi-dōrō}}.

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/okazakisekkohin/|title = Kogei Japan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pref.aichi.jp/global/en/industries/traditional/o_stonemasonry.html|title=Okazaki Stonemasonry &#124; Aichi Prefectural Government Official Site}}</ref>

=== Structure ===
[[File:Diagram of a Japanese three-legged garden lamp.jpg|thumb|Stone lantern diagram:{{pb}}{{ubl|A. {{transliteration|ja|Hōju}} or {{transliteration|ja|hōshu}},|B. {{transliteration|ja|Ukebana}},|C. {{transliteration|ja|Kasa}},|D. {{transliteration|ja|Hibukuro}},|E. {{transliteration|ja|Chūdai}},|F. {{transliteration|ja|Sao}}}}]]

The traditional components of a stone (or bronze) lantern are, from top to bottom:<ref name="iwa">Iwanami {{nihongo|[[Kōjien]]|広辞苑}} Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version</ref>
; A. {{nihongo3|{{lit|jewel}}|宝珠|Hōju/hōshu}}
: The onion-shaped part at the very top of the [[finial]].
; B. {{nihongo||請花|Ukebana}}
: The [[Nelumbo|lotus]]-shaped support of the {{transliteration|ja|hōju}}, together symbolizing the element of [[Akasha| ''Kū'' (空)]] or ''sora'', translated as [[Aether (classical element)| aether]], space, void or consciousness.
; C. {{nihongo||笠|Kasa}}
: A conical or pyramidal umbrella covering the firebox. The corners may curl upwards to form the so-called {{nihongo||蕨手|warabide}}, symbolizing [[wiktionary: 風|風]] ''Fū'' or ''kaze'', the element of [[Air (classical element)|wind]] or air.
; D. {{nihongo3|{{lit|fire sack}}|火袋|Hibukuro}}
: The firebox where the fire is lit, symbolizing the element of [[wiktionary: 火|火]] ''Ka'' or ''hi'', meaning "[[Fire (classical element)|Fire]]".
; E. {{nihongo3|{{lit|central platform}}|中台|Chūdai}}
: The platform for the fire box, symbolizing the element of [[wiktionary: 水|水]] ''Sui'' or ''mizu'', meaning "[[Water (classical element)|Water]]".
; F. {{nihongo3|{{lit|post}}|竿|Sao}}
: The post, typically oriented vertically and either circular or square in cross-section, possibly with a corresponding "belt" near its middle; occasionally also formed as a sideways coin or disk, as a set of tall thin lotus petals, or as between one and four arched legs (in "snow-viewing" lanterns); absent in hanging lanterns.
; {{nihongo3|{{lit|foundation}}|基礎|Kiso}}
: The base, usually rounded or hexagonal, and absent in a buried lantern (see below).
; {{nihongo3|{{lit|base platform}}|基壇|Kidan}}<ref name="JAANUS">{{cite web|url=http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/t/tourou.htm|title=Tōrō|publisher=JAANUS|access-date=19 April 2010}}</ref>
: A variously-shaped slab of rock sometimes present under the base; together the post, base and platform symbolize the element of [[wiktionary: 地|地]] ''Chi'' (sometimes ''ji'') or ''tsuchi'', meaning "[[Earth (classical element)|Earth]]".

The lantern's structure is meant to symbolize the [[Godai (Japanese philosophy)|five elements]] of Buddhist cosmology. With the sole exception of the fire box, any parts may be absent. For example, an {{transliteration|ja|oki-dōrō}}, 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 ====
[[File:Kasuga-dōrō.jpg|thumb|{{transliteration|ja|Kasuga-dōrō}} garden lantern]]
{{nihongo||立ち灯籠|Tachidōrō}}, or pedestal lanterns, are the most common. The base is always present and the fire box is decorated with carvings of deer, [[peony|peonies]] or other figures. More than 20 subtypes exist.<ref name="sekigei">{{cite web|url=http://homepage.mac.com/inosuke/sekigei/exhib.html|title=Onrain Tenjijō|publisher=Yamamoto Sekigei|language=ja|access-date=20 April 2010}}</ref> The following are among the most common:

; {{nihongo||春日灯籠|Kasuga-dōrō}}
: Named after [[Kasuga-taisha]], it is very common at both temples and shrines. The umbrella is small and has either six or eight sides with {{transliteration|ja|warabite}} at the corners. The fire box is either hexagonal or square with carvings representing deer, the sun or moon, or other designs. Tall and thin, it is often found near the second {{transliteration|ja|torii}} of a shrine.<ref name="iwa"/>
; {{nihongo||柚ノ木灯篭|Yūnoki-dōrō}}
: The second oldest stone lantern in Japan, found at Kasuga Shrine, is a {{transliteration|ja|yūnoki-dōrō}} or [[citron]] tree stone lantern.<ref name="jg2">{{cite web|url=http://www.jgarden.org/glossary.asp|title=Glossary|publisher=Japanese Gardens|access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref> This style goes back to at least as the Heian period. The post has rings carved at the bottom, middle and top, and the hexagonal base and middle platform may be carved with lotuses or other auspicious motifs. The umbrella is simple and has neither {{transliteration|ja|warabite}} nor an {{transliteration|ja|ukebana}}.<ref name="KM">{{cite web|url=http://www.kuwayama-museum.jp/teien1%20tourou.htm|title=Teien no Go-annai - Tōrō|publisher=Kuwayama Museum|language=ja|access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref> The {{transliteration|ja|yūnoki}} seems to stem from a [[citron]] tree that used to stand near the lantern at Kasuga Shrine.<ref name="jg2"/> This type of lantern became popular in tea house gardens during the Edo period.

====Buried lanterns====
[[File:Kakekomidourou.jpg|thumb|An {{transliteration|ja|ikekomi-dōrō}}]]

{{nihongo||活け込み燈籠|Ikekomi-dōrō}}, or buried lanterns, are moderately sized lanterns whose post does not rest on a base, but goes directly into the ground.<ref name="hunt"/> Because of their modest size, they are used along paths or at stone basins in gardens.<ref name="sekigei"/> The following are some examples:

; {{nihongo||織部灯籠|Oribe-dōrō}}
: This common type is named after [[Furuta Shigenari]], a nobleman popularly known as Oribe, who designed it to be used in gardens.<ref name="jg">{{cite web|url=http://www.japanesegardening.org/lanterns/|title=Japanese Lanterns|publisher=Japanese gardening|access-date=20 April 2010}}</ref> The fire box is a cube with a window on each side: the front and rear are square, the right and left are shaped as a crescent moon and the full moon respectively. The umbrella is small and four-sided.
; {{nihongo||キリシタン灯籠|Kirishitan-dōrō}}
: This is simply an {{transliteration|ja|oribe-dōrō}} with hidden Christian symbols. This style was born during the persecution of the Christian religion in Japan, when many continued to practice their faith in secret.{{efn|For details, see the article {{transliteration|ja|[[Kakure Kirishitan]]}}.}}
; {{nihongo|''Mizubotaru-dōrō''|水蛍燈籠|Mizubotaru-dōrō}} 
: A typical {{transliteration|ja|ikekomi-dōrō}}, its fire box has square openings on two facing sides and double-triangle openings on the other two. This type of lantern is used at the [[Katsura Villa]] in [[Kyoto]]. The roof is square and rounded.<ref name="jg"/>

====Movable lanterns====
{{nihongo||置き燈籠|Oki-dōrō}}, 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.<ref name="sekigei"/> They are commonly used around house entrances and along paths.

One example of a movable lantern would be the {{nihongo3|{{lit|three lights lantern}}|三光灯籠|zankō-dōrō}}, 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.<ref name="jg"/> This type of lantern is usually placed near water. It can be found in the garden of the Katsura Villa.

====Legged lanterns====
{{nihongo||雪見燈籠|Yukimi-dōrō}}, 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.<ref name="sekigei"/> 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.<ref name="sekigei"/>

===={{transliteration|ja|Nozura-dōrō}}====
{{nihongo||野面灯籠|Nozura-dōrō}} are lanterns made with rough, unpolished stones.<ref name="sekigei"/>

==Gallery==
===Hanging metal lanterns===
<gallery perrow=4 widths=160px heights=120px>
Golden lanterns of Miedo, Danjogaran, Koyasan, 2016.jpg|A votive hanging lantern
Rokkaku-tsuri-toro nishiwaki-narita-san 六角釣灯篭1014722.jpg|A hexagonal hanging lantern
Fushimi Inari lantern 01.jpg|Hanging lantern at [[Fushimi Inari Shrine]]
Kasuga-taisha17ns4592.jpg|Hanging lanterns lit at [[Kasuga-taisha]]
Lantern, Viet - Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Hanoi, Vietnam - DSC02559.JPG|Exhibit in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Hanoi, Vietnam
Lanterne dans le pavillon des âmes célèbres (Cité impériale, Hué) (4381219337).jpg|Hanging lantern at [[Imperial City of Huế]]
Lantern (40304315071).jpg|Hanging lantern at [[Temple of Literature, Hanoi]]
File:Huế (2333102721).jpg|Hanging lanterns in [[Huế]]
</gallery>

===Bronze lanterns===
<gallery perrow=4 widths=160px heights=120px>
File:Chi Lin Nunnery 10, Mar 06.JPG|Bronze and stone lanterns in [[Chi Lin Nunnery]], Hongkong
File:Horyu-ji43s3200.jpg|Bronze lantern at [[Hōryū-ji]]
File:NaraTodaijiL0202.jpg|8th century bronze lantern at [[Tōdai-ji]] (National Treasure)
File:NikkoRotatingLantern4994.jpg|Bronze lantern at [[Nikkō Tōshō-gū]]
File:Latarnia w Miyajima.JPG|Bronze lantern at [[Itsukushima Shrine]]
</gallery>

===Stone lanterns===
<gallery perrow="4" widths="160px" heights="120px">
File:北投不動明王石窟石燈籠.jpg|Stone lantern in Taiwan
File:Wuzhen old town.JPG|Water lantern in Zhejiang Province
File:Kasuga-taisha30bs4592.jpg|{{transliteration|ja|Tachi-dōrō}} of the {{transliteration|ja|kasuga-dōrō}} type
File:Stone lantern - local shrine - kanagawa - 2023 12 20.webm|360° rotation around a stone lantern at a local [[Shinto shrine]] in [[Kanagawa Prefecture]]
File:TojiKanchiinKirishitan.jpg|A {{transliteration|ja|kirishitan-dōrō}}
File:Dogakuji 08.JPG|{{transliteration|ja|Ikekomi-dōrō}} of the {{transliteration|ja|Kirishitan-dōrō}} type
File:Kita-in Kawagoe Okidourou.jpg|An {{transliteration|ja|oki-dōrō}}
File:Manninko-Joyato01.jpg|A {{transliteration|ja|nozura-dōrō}}
File:Jochi-ji-stone lantern.jpg|[[Pagoda]]-shaped lantern at [[Jōchi-ji]]
File:Hiromine-jinja Stone Lanterns.jpg|A {{nihongo3|square lantern|角灯籠|kaku-dōrō}}
File:Monuments fell down by 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake in Tokiwa-shrine.JPG|Stone lanterns toppled by the [[2011 Tohoku earthquake]] in [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture]], showing the numerous pieces of carved stone that make up each lantern
File:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa 3299-06 Stone Lantern.JPG|A stone lantern in Korea
File:Đèn đá kiểu Việt ở chùa Thiên Mụ, tháng 3 năm 2021 (2).jpg|A stone lantern at [[Thiên Mụ Temple]], Vietnam
File:Chùa Phật Cô đơn 2022 (đèn đá thấp kiểu Việt Nam).jpg|A stone lanterns at Phật Cô Đơn Temple, Vietnam
File:Co do Hoa Lu 118.JPG|Stone lanterns in [[Đinh Tiên Hoàng]] Temple, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
File:Đèn đá kiểu Việt Nam bằng cẩm thạch tại Chùa Bửu Thắng, Tân Phú, tháng 5 năm 2021 (1).jpg|A stone lantern in Bửu Thắng Temple, HCMC, Vietnam
File:Japanese_lantern_in_Washington.jpg|[[Japanese Lantern (Washington, D.C.)|Japanese lantern in Washington]]
</gallery>

==={{transliteration|ja|Yukimi-dōrō}} variants===
<gallery perrow=4 widths=160px heights=120px>
File:Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, Tahara Snow Lantern.jpg|Four-legged {{transliteration|ja|yukimi-dōrō}}
File:IMG 2660.jpg|Three legged {{transliteration|ja|yukimi-dōrō}}. One leg rests on ground, two in water.
File:IMG 2590.jpg|Two-legged {{transliteration|ja|yukimi-dōrō}}
File:Rankei-dourou.jpg|One-legged {{transliteration|ja|rankei-dōrō}}
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Traditional lighting equipment of Japan]]
* [[Glossary of Shinto]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}

{{Shinto shrine}}
{{Buddhist temples in Japan}}
{{Japanese architectural elements}}
{{Lawn and garden ornaments}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stone Lantern}}
[[Category:Buddhist ritual implements]]
[[Category:Garden ornaments]]
[[Category:Japanese Buddhist architecture]]
[[Category:Light fixtures]]
[[Category:Shinto architecture]]
[[Category:Shinto religious objects]]