Chokai Yamadoro, Japanese Stone Lantern

Stone lanterns, Ishidōrō (石灯籠) in Japanese, are undoubtedly the most characteristic element of the traditional Japanese garden. The phenomenon originated more than a thousand years ago in China, from where it also became part of traditional Japanese culture via Korea. Every Japanese sanctuary, 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 can almost always be found in nearly 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.

This unique rough stone lantern is known by two names: Yamadōrō (山灯籠), which means mountain lantern, and Nozura-dōrō (野面灯籠), which can be translated literally as a lantern made of rough stone. This characteristic type of lantern is mostly made of unpolished stone. This gives the lantern a natural and rustic appearance, making it perfectly suited for a garden or landscape. An important principle of traditional Japanese gardens is that it should mimic the true essence of nature. Something that a lantern like the Yamadōrō can contribute significantly to.