Japanese Lantern Oribe Style

December 21, 2011

Japanese Oribe Style Lantern

The Oribe Japanese lantern is a post  style lantern.  This means that the bottom is like a post and set into the ground.  The stone lantern is named after Lord Furuta Oribe, for whom the design was originally created for.  This style is often found in todays japanese gardens adjacent to tsukubai water basin feature.  This water feature is important element used for the tea ceremony.  Since Lord Oribe was a famous tea master it explains why this style is often found adjacent to tsukubai.  The square light area has a square tapered stone both above and below it.  The stone above it as known as the kasa, or umbrella, and protects the candle from the elements.  The primary openings of the light box are squares opposite each other and will sometimes have shoji screens set into the lip.  The two remaining sides will have a crescent and full moon.  Like the side shown in this picture.

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Art, Garden Types, Landscape, Sculpture