Information on Japanese Lanterns

History

• Originally, Japanese tea masters lit stone lanterns along temple pathways during evening tea ceremonies. Ishi toros illuminated Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine paths. From 1573 to 1615, during the Momoyama period, more decorative sculptural designs were adapted to tea garden (roji) use.

Material

• Authentic lanterns, carved from granite or syenite---a coarse gray stone---are simple in design. The material withstands seasonal elements and the simplicity withstands societal changes. Modern gardeners use lanterns crafted from resins, reconstituted stone or concrete, which weigh less and are easier to ship. Some mass-produced resin or concrete lanterns are red or green with ornate styling, but authentic Japanese lanterns are the color of natural stone and more simply designed to blend into the garden.

Design

• Four basic designs comprise Japanese lanterns marketed today, each with many sub-styles: buried lanterns (Ikekomi-gata), pedestal lanterns (Tachi-gata), small lanterns (Oki-gata) and snow-viewing lanterns (Yukimi-gata).

  Buried lanterns rise about three feet from a shaft buried in the ground. They do not have pedestals and typically sit near a water basin.

  Pedestal lanterns, often used a focal points in larger garden settings, range from three to nine feet high.

  Small lanterns, generally about 20 inches tall, best illuminate paths or pond edges, or light smaller gardens.

  A snow-viewing lantern may be three to five feet tall. It possesses a broad inverted dish-like capstone designed to hold snow. Classic snow-viewing lanterns sit near a garden's water feature.

Lighting

• Japanese garden lanterns provide soft illumination rather than bright task light. They radiate just enough light for a visitor to find his way through the garden, while not detracting from the garden's beauty and serenity. Modern resin lanterns often utilize soft electric light sources with pastel-colored bulbs that provide a dimmed effect.

Function

• Traditionally lanterns used oil or candles to illuminate walkways. As light sources improved, Japanese lanterns gave way to more decorative purposes---a matter of form over function. Choosing a garden lantern for its addition to the garden's beauty takes precedence over functionality as a light source in modern garden design.

Lanterns of Note

• One special lantern, given to the citizens of New York City by the citizens of the Metropolis of Tokyo on October 2, 1960 is more than 14 feet tall. The pedestal-type lantern sits in Sakura Park and its style is known as kasuga-toro, originating from the Japanese province of Kasuga. It weighs close to seven tons and includes a stylized lotus flower at the base of the capital, imaginary animals and a six-volute (curled) capstone.

  Sakura Park
  498 Riverside Drive
  New York, NY 10027