Traditional Japanese Stone and Bronze Lanterns for Gardens, Temples, and Shrines

What Stone Lanterns Are and Where They Come From

Stone lanterns, known as tōrō in Japanese and dēnglóng in Chinese, are traditional East Asian lights usually made from stone, wood, or metal. They started in China and spread across East Asia, especially to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Today, they’re mostly found in China and Japan, showing up in Buddhist temples and classical gardens.

In Japan, these lanterns first showed up in Buddhist temples. They lit up the walkways, and people believed lighting them was a way to honor Buddha. Over time, their use spread beyond temples. During the Heian period, from 794 to 1185, people started placing them in Shinto shrines and even in private homes.

How Far Back They Go

Stone lanterns have a long history. In China, they date back to the Han dynasty, which ran from 202 BCE to 220 CE. From there, they remained common through later dynasties, including the Wei, Jin, and Tang. It was during the Tang dynasty that the Japanese adopted them.

Japan still has some of the oldest stone and bronze lanterns. One from the Nara period stands at Taima-dera, while another from the Heian period sits at Kasuga-taisha. These historical pieces are some of the earliest surviving examples in the country.

Why They Took Off in Japanese Gardens

By the late 1500s, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Japanese tea masters began using stone lanterns in gardens. They weren’t just for lighting anymore. They became a design element. Tea masters placed them near water, along paths, or beside buildings to create a calm, peaceful feeling. Over time, new styles came out based on where the lanterns would go or what mood they were meant to set.

Today, stone lanterns in Japanese gardens are mostly decorative. They don’t usually serve a practical lighting purpose anymore, but they still bring a strong visual connection to tradition and nature.

The Two Main Types of Lanterns

There are two main kinds of tōrō. First, the tsuri-dōrō, or hanging lantern. These are often made from metal or wood and are small, with four or six sides. They usually hang from the edges of roofs. In some places, they’re also called kaitomoshi. Japan got this style from China by way of Korea during the Nara period. At first, they were mostly found in Imperial palaces.

The second type is the dai-dōrō, or platform lantern. These are the larger ones you see in gardens or along the approach to a shrine or temple. The two main kinds here are stone lanterns and bronze lanterns. Both look like standing versions of the older hanging lanterns, placed on a base.

Symbolism Behind the Structure

When built in full form, the platform lantern is more than decoration. Like the Buddhist pagoda and the gorintō grave marker, it’s built to reflect five basic elements in Buddhist thought. The lowest part that sits on the ground stands for chi, or earth. Above that is sui, which means water. The next section holds the flame and stands for ka, or fire. Higher up is fū, or air, and the topmost piece, pointing toward the sky, stands for kū, which means spirit or void.

This design shows a belief that when a person dies, their body returns to these five natural elements. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of life, death, and nature.

Why Stone Lanterns Still Matter

Even if they’re not used much for actual lighting anymore, stone lanterns still hold meaning. They reflect centuries of cultural exchange and spiritual thought. Their shapes, placement, and design keep a deep link to Buddhist beliefs and traditional Japanese garden design. Whether placed near water, on a mossy path, or tucked in a quiet corner, they still bring peace, beauty, and a strong sense of place.

Bronze Lanterns in Japanese Temples and Gardens

Bronze lanterns, called kondō-dōrō in Japanese, have been around for centuries. These lanterns are made of gilt bronze and usually show up at historic temples. While they don’t vary as much in design as stone lanterns, they still hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Their shape follows the same five-part design as stone lanterns, with each section tied to one of the five elements in Buddhist cosmology.

Even though they’re less common, many bronze lanterns are protected as Cultural Properties of Japan. Some have been declared National Treasures. The massive bronze lantern sitting in front of the Great Buddha Hall at Tōdai-ji in Nara is one of them. Another well-known bronze lantern, built in the year 816, is preserved in the museum at Kōfuku-ji. These are not just old objects. They’re seen as important symbols of Japanese religious history and craftsmanship.

 

Stone Lanterns: How They’re Built and What They Mean

Most platform lanterns, known as dai-dōrō, are made of stone. When that’s the case, they’re called ishi-dōrō, which literally means “stone lantern.” These are the most common and most recognized type of lantern in Japanese culture.

One of the main areas where stone lanterns have been traditionally made is Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture. This region has a long stonemasonry tradition, and in 1979, the Japanese government officially recognized it as a traditional craft. The work done there has helped keep these classic designs alive.

Each stone lantern follows a specific structure, usually made up of several stacked parts. These pieces are not just decorative. They represent the five basic elements of Buddhist thought: earth, water, fire, wind, and space.

At the very top is the hōju, or sacred jewel. It’s shaped like an onion bulb and sits at the peak of the lantern. Right below it is the ukebana, which looks like a lotus flower. These top two parts together represent kū, or space.

The next part is the kasa, or umbrella. This is the roof-like section that covers the firebox. It’s usually shaped like a cone or a pyramid. The edges might curl upward, a style called warabide. This whole section stands for fū, the element of air.

Below that is the hibukuro, the main chamber where the light goes. This is the heart of the lantern and represents ka, the element of fire.

The firebox sits on the chūdai, a central platform. This base supports the flame and symbolizes sui, or water.

Then comes the sao, the vertical shaft or post. It’s usually round or square, sometimes with a carved belt in the middle. In some lanterns, it’s replaced with thin legs or shaped like lotus petals. This part often isn’t present in hanging lanterns.

At the bottom is the kiso, the base, which might be rounded or have six sides. Sometimes there’s an extra stone slab under that, called the kidan. These bottom layers together represent chi, or earth.

Not all lanterns include every piece. Some are missing one or more parts depending on their use or where they’re placed. A movable lantern, called an oki-dōrō, usually has no post and sits right on the ground. Some of these don’t have the umbrella section either. But no matter the shape or size, the design is always built around the same five elements.

Different Types of Stone Lanterns in Japanese Design

Stone lanterns fall into five main groups, each with several variations. These styles were shaped by centuries of temple building, tea ceremony culture, and traditional garden design. Every type has its own features and purpose, with many still used in gardens, paths, shrines, and temples today.

Pedestal Lanterns: The Most Common Style

Pedestal lanterns, called tachidōrō, are the most widely seen. These always have a solid base and a carved firebox. The carvings might show deer, flowers like peonies, or other symbols tied to nature or myth. There are over 20 known styles of pedestal lanterns.

The kasuga-dōrō is one of the most famous. It takes its name from Kasuga-taisha Shrine, where this type was used often. These lanterns are tall and slim. The umbrella part is small and has either six or eight sides, with curled tips called warabite. The firebox is usually hexagonal or square and decorated with carvings of deer, the sun, or the moon. You’ll often find this style near a shrine’s second torii gate.

Another important type is the yūnoki-dōrō, named after a citron tree once planted beside it at Kasuga Shrine. This is the second oldest stone lantern still standing in Japan and dates back to at least the Heian period. The post has carved rings near the top, middle, and base. The platform and hexagonal base may include lotus carvings or other symbols of good luck. The umbrella is plain, with no curled corners or lotus base. During the Edo period, this style became common in tea garden layouts.

Buried Lanterns: Simple and Practical

Ikekomi-dōrō, or buried lanterns, are smaller and don’t sit on a base. Instead, the post is planted directly into the ground. They fit well in compact spaces and are usually found along garden paths or beside stone water basins.

One popular version is the oribe-dōrō, named after Furuta Oribe, a noble and tea master. He created this lantern for use in gardens. Its firebox is shaped like a cube and has four windows. The front and back are square, while the right and left show a crescent moon and full moon. The umbrella is small and square.

Another hidden form of the oribe lantern is the kirishitan-dōrō. It looks like a regular oribe-dōrō, but it includes secret Christian symbols. This design emerged during times when Christianity was outlawed in Japan, allowing believers to practice their faith in private.

The mizubotaru-dōrō is another variation used at the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. Its firebox has square openings on two sides and triangle-shaped ones on the other sides. The roof is square but softly rounded at the corners.

Movable Lanterns: Simple and Easy to Place

Oki-dōrō, or movable lanterns, are not fixed to any base. They’re placed directly on the ground and can be moved if needed. They likely evolved from hanging lanterns that were set down.

A well-known example is the zankō-dōrō, or “three lights lantern.” It’s a small stone box with a flat roof. The front and back windows are shaped like the sun and moon. The side windows are star-shaped. This lantern is often placed beside water and can also be seen in the garden at Katsura Villa.

Legged Lanterns: Built for Garden Water Features

Yukimi-dōrō, or snow-viewing lanterns, stand on curved legs instead of a single post. These lanterns are low to the ground and meant only for gardens. They usually sit near ponds or streams. In many cases, two legs rest in the water and one on land.

The umbrella part is wide and might be round or have three to eight sides. The firebox is almost always hexagonal. These lanterns likely first appeared in the Momoyama period, though the oldest surviving ones, located at Katsura Villa, come from the early Edo period.

Rough Stone Lanterns: Natural and Unpolished

Nozura-dōrō are lanterns made from raw, unshaped stone. They have a rugged, natural look and blend easily into forest or mountain settings. These aren’t refined or carved like other types, but they still carry the same structure and meaning based on the five elements.

Each lantern type, no matter the style, connects back to the same core ideas: balance, nature, and quiet reflection. Whether carved with care or left rough, these stone lights still stand as reminders of a deep spiritual tradition woven into Japan’s gardens and sacred spaces.