Japanese Lantern Styles

Japanese lanterns are traditionally made of stone.

The Japanese lantern has been a fixture in Japanese gardens for centuries. Traditionally crafted by hand from stone, these lanterns impart a sense of timelessness and tranquility to any garden setting.

Use

Originally, Japanese tea masters used lanterns in their garden to guide visitors along pathways. Today the lanterns may be used simply for their decorative quality, says Jason Boonstra, author of "The Ultimate Water Garden Manual."

Small Lanterns

Small lanterns (Oki-gata), which are under two feet high, can be tucked into corners of the garden, and are often used to light a path or the edge of a pond.

Buried Lanterns

The buried lantern (Ikekomi-gata) is close to three feet high and supported on a base buried in the ground, so it appears to arise from the earth. Such lanterns are often placed near a basin of water.

Snow Lanterns

Snow lanterns (Yukimi-gata) are topped with a broad cap that catches falling snow. These three- to four-foot high lanterns are often used near a waterfall or other water feature.

Pedestal Lanterns

The pedestal lantern (Tachi-gata) ranges from three to nine feet high, so it is best used in a larger setting, where it may serve as the focal point of a garden, says the Knowlege of Bonsai Web site.

References

• ChinatownConnection.com: Lanterns as Japanese Garden Ornaments
• Knowledge of Bonsai: Japanese Lanterns