Oribe Gata Ishidoro, Japanese 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 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 Oribe Gata Ishidōrō (織部型石灯籠) is the most characteristic lantern that must be buried, better known as Ikekomi lanterns in Japanese. The Oribe Gata has a unique Christian background. On the pillar, usually, Christian symbols are engraved. During the Edo period, the time of the Samurai, Christianity was forbidden in Japan. Since the Oribe Gata was partially buried, the Christian symbols were often not visible and hidden from the authorities.

The Oribe Gata lantern was designed by Furuta Oribe (古田織部), a very famous daimyo and tea master who had a great influence during the early Edo period. The lantern is named after him.