Garden Lantern - The Delicate Work of the Mason is a Pride of Japan

As a representation of the Japanese garden materials and elements, we introduce “Garden Lantern (Tourou)”.

Garden Lantern　灯籠

Recently, there are fewer masons in Japan but the traditinal technique is taken over. The delicate work of the mason is a pride of Japan.

The garden lanterns have in many different forms, and they are called by their unique names, the existgiving them a sense of history. The light and water is essential for human's life, exsiting in phase with the garden will be not only convenient but also elegant scenery. The garden lantern generally traded on height scales.

Note : “syaku” is a traditional dimension unit unique to Japan..1-syaku is approx 30 cm

Standing Lantern　立灯籠

Standing stone lantern is one of a symbol in Japanese gardens. The stone lanterns have the human life element in nature garden and their shapes are extremely diverse, reflecting the background of the era or culture or denomination in which they were made. In recent years, tall lanterns have become less popular as a precaution against earthquake damage, and additionally declinng the skilled stonemasons and mechanization, but at Ohta Niwaishi, we protect stone lanterns that are the must-have architecture filled with the skills of Japanese stonemasons, and we stock a wide range of rare, antique, and high quality lanterns.

Standing Stone Lantern 1

From left to right: Rikyu type [total hight 1.8m], Kasuga type [total hight 2.0m], Kasuga type [total hight 1.7m]

Standing Stone Lantern 2

Age: Unknown
Left: Kasuga type [total hight 3.34m, maximum width 1.22m, 2.95t. Right: Kasuga type [total length 3.13m, maximum width 1.1m, 3.5t]

Yukimi Stone Lantern

Age: Unknown, Rusty granite

Crafted Lantern　造り灯籠

These are small-sized lantern that will match for "Tsuboniwa"= spot garden. It seems to be a mason original lantern for the order from his master in EDO period. Those are came from the old house of downtown Castle Hikone. The left is a stone lantern with 2.5 syaku, and the right is a 1.5 syaku.

Yama Toro (Mountain Lantern)　山灯籠　山形県鳥海石

Yama Toro is named from the impression formed like a mountain. Cutting natural stone to leave utilizabable part, and assemble each parts well balanced. Yama Toro looks like almost the garden stone.

Yama Toro 1

It is characterized by its wide spread leg(base part) to the ground. It is very well balanced throughout, you better place where can see this leg.

Yama Toro 2

This is a large Yama Toro over 6 syaku. The balance of the top(hat) is a good looking even any angle, and the work of Hibukuro(the part of setting light) is recognized artisanal.

Yama Toro 3

This Yama Toro has a low center of gravity and a rustic appearance. The leg(base) is shaping that imagines a mountain range, and it is unique to the natural asymmetry.

Foot Light Lantern　足元燈

Light up the footsteps of the passage and your favorite spots softly. The grooves are cut so that the light bulb can be inserted. Made by Ontake Ishi and Chokai Seki.