Komichi Ishidoro, Stone Lantern

Stone lanterns, Ishidōrō (石灯籠) in Japanese, are undoubtedly the most characteristic part of traditional Japanese gardens. The phenomenon originated in China more than a thousand years ago, where it also became part of traditional Japanese culture via Korea. Every Japanese shrine, 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 have always been found in almost every traditional Japanese garden.

A stone lantern consists of multiple separate parts that must be carefully stacked together. The perfect balance achieved here makes the lantern a very sturdy and durable whole.

This specific stone lantern stands low to the ground and was originally intended to light a footpath in the garden. This is where the name Komichi (小道) comes from, which in Japanese means “small footpath”.