Stone lanterns (灯籠/灯篭/灯楼; Chinese: dēnglóng; Japanese: tōrō, meaning 'light basket', 'light tower') 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, tōrō 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 earliest known extant stone lantern in China is the Northern Qi (550-577) stone lantern in the remains of Tongzi Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Other early stone lanterns which date from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) remain extant in several temples around China, such as the stone lantern in Faxing Temple in Zhangzi, Shanxi which was built in 773. 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. Tōrō can be classified in two main types: tsuri-dōrō (釣灯籠/掻灯/吊り灯籠, lit. 'hanging lamp'), which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and dai-dōrō (台灯籠, lit. 'platform lamp'), used in gardens and along the approach (sandō) of a shrine or temple. The two most common types of 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 gorintō and the pagoda, the dai-dōrō represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents chi, the earth; the next section represents sui, or water; ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while fū (air) and 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
Also called kaitomoshi (掻灯), tsuri-dōrō 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 kondō-dōrō (金銅燈籠, gilt bronze lantern) 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 Daibutsuden 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 Dai-dōrō (platform lantern) are most often made of stone; in this case, they are referred to as ishi-dōrō (石灯籠, lit. 'stone lantern'). 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
The traditional components of a stone (or bronze) lantern are, from top to bottom:
A. Hōju/hōshu (宝珠, lit. 'jewel') The onion-shaped part at the very top of the finial. B. Ukebana (請花) The lotus-shaped support of the hōju, together symbolizing the element of Kū (空) or sora, translated as aether, space, void or consciousness. C. Kasa (笠) A conical or pyramidal umbrella covering the firebox. The corners may curl upwards to form the so-called warabide (蕨手), symbolizing 風 Fū or kaze, the element of wind or air. D. Hibukuro (火袋, lit. 'fire sack') The firebox where the fire is lit, symbolizing the element of 火 Ka or hi, meaning "Fire". E. Chūdai (中台, lit. 'central platform') The platform for the fire box, symbolizing the element of 水 Sui or mizu, meaning "Water". F. Sao (竿, lit. 'post') 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. Kiso (基礎, lit. 'foundation') The base, usually rounded or hexagonal, and absent in a buried lantern (see below). Kidan (基壇, lit. 'base platform') A variously-shaped slab of rock sometimes present under the base; together the post, base and platform symbolize the element of 地 Chi (sometimes ji) or tsuchi, meaning "Earth". 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 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
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:
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