Kasuga Gata 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 perfect balance thus created makes the lantern a very sturdy and durable whole. The different parts from top to bottom are:

• Hōju/Hōshu (宝珠) – The jewel on top of the lantern
• Ikebana (請花) – The support of the jewel
• Kasa (笠) – The hat that protects the lantern house from the weather
• Hibukuro (火袋) – The fire box
• Chūdai (中台) – The platform for the light chamber
• Sao (竿) – The pillar
• Kiso (基礎) – The foundation
• Kidan (基壇) – The base platform

The Kasuga Gata Ishidōrō (春日型石灯籠) is undoubtedly the most popular lantern in traditional Japanese gardens. The type originated at the Kasuga Grand Shrine (春日大社) in Nara Park, a park known for its many deer. Various engravings can be seen on the hexagonal Hibukuro of the Kasuga lantern, including deer. A reference to the lanterns’ original purpose.