A basket holding light. That is what the characters of Tōrō mean. Here before us stands a magnificent example of a stone lantern, or ishi-dōrō.
The Tōrō, including this ishi-dōrō, have a history stretching back centuries. They originated in China. They then made their way to Japan alongside Buddhism. Initially, these lanterns illuminated the paths of Buddhist temples. They were offerings to Buddha.
Later during the Heian period, from 794 to 1185, their use expanded. Shinto shrines and even private homes began to incorporate them. By the Azuchi-Momoyama period from 1568 to 1600, tea masters popularized the stone lantern. They became garden ornaments. The stone lanterns started evolving into different types. Today the stone lanterns have a purely ornamental function. They grace paths, adorn spaces near water, and stand next to buildings.
Tōrō come in two primary forms. Tsuri-dōrō are hanging lamps suspended from eaves. Dai-dōrō are platform lamps found in gardens, temples and shrines. This 石灯籠 is a dai-dōrō. It resembles a hanging lantern gently placed on a pedestal.
Look closely at its structure. Notice the segments that form the 石灯籠. The bottom piece connects with the earth. It represents chi, the earth element. Above it, the next section signifies sui, or water. The firebox, where the light or flame resides, embodies ka, the fire element. The uppermost sections symbolize fū, air, and kū, void or spirit. These segments show that after death our physical bodies will return to their original elemental form.
The components of a stone lantern, from top to bottom, include the hōju. It is the jewel shaped onion at the very top. The ukebana is the lotus-shaped support of the hōju. The kasa is the umbrella that covers the firebox. Its corners might curl upwards to form warabide. The hibukuro is the firebox. The chūdai is the central platform for the fire box. The sao is the post. The kiso is the base and the kidan is a rock slab under the base.
These stone lanterns can be categorized. There are pedestal lanterns, buried lanterns, movable lanterns, and legged lanterns.
Pedestal lanterns or tachi-dōrō are very common. The base is always present. The firebox features carvings. Kasuga-dōrō are named after Kasuga-taisha. Yūnoki-dōrō are the second oldest stone lantern in Japan.
Buried lanterns, or ikekomi-dōrō, are moderate in size. Their posts go directly into the ground without a base. Oribe-dōrō are named after Oribe. Kirishitan-dōrō have hidden Christian symbols. Mizubotaru-dōrō has square openings on two sides and triangle openings on the other two.
Movable lanterns, oki-dōrō, simply rest on the ground without any fixing. Zankō-dōrō is a small stone box with windows shaped like the sun, moon, and star.
Legged lanterns, yukimi-dōrō, have curved legs instead of a post. They are low to the ground and placed near water. The oldest examples are found at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto.
Lastly, nozura-dōrō are lanterns crafted from rough, unpolished stones.
As you admire this 石灯籠, consider its journey through time. It began as a humble light in a temple. It then transformed into an elegant adornment. It is a symbol of Japanese culture and artistry.