Kotoji Ishidoro, Japanese Stone Lantern

Stone lanterns, Ishidōrō (石灯籠) in Japanese, are undoubtedly the most characteristic element of the traditional Japanese garden. The phenomenon originated more than a thousand years ago in China, from where it also became part of traditional Japanese culture via Korea. Every Japanese sanctuary, 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 can almost always be found in nearly every traditional Japanese garden.

A Japanese stone lantern consists of several separate parts that must be carefully stacked on top of each other. The resulting perfect balance makes the lantern a very sturdy and durable whole.

The Kotoji Ishidōrō (徽軫石灯籠) is a special variant of the Yukimi snow lantern that is known for its two pillars that bend towards each other. This lantern is often placed along the water and the most famous example can be found in the Kenroku-en garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The name of the lantern is based on the fact that the curved pillars are reminiscent of the bridge of a Koto, a traditional Japanese string instrument.