Maru Yukimi Gata Ishidoro, Stone Lantern

Stone lanterns, Ishidōrō (石灯籠) in Japanese, are undoubtedly the most characteristic part of traditional Japanese gardens. The phenomenon originated in China more than a thousand years ago, where it also became part of traditional Japanese culture via Korea. Every Japanese shrine, such as a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine, uses stone lanterns as a sacred light source. During the 16th century, stone lanterns became very popular among Japanese tea masters and were used in tea gardens to illuminate the path to the tea house. Since then, one or more stone lanterns have always been found in almost every traditional Japanese garden.

A stone lantern consists of multiple separate parts that must be carefully stacked together. The perfect balance achieved here makes the lantern a very sturdy and durable whole.

The Yukimi Gata Ishidōrō is the best-known lantern that stands low to the ground. Yukimi is Japanese for viewing snow. This name is based on the fact that the Kasa, or hat, of the lantern can become covered with snow during cold winter days. This is easier to see than with most other lanterns. Because of this, the Yukimi lantern is also known as the snow lantern.

Maru (丸) is the Japanese word for round. This refers to the overall appearance of the lantern.