Stone Lanterns

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
I have a granite toro (lantern) in my garden. Have always loved them. Thought they might be an interesting topic to look into a little more with fellow b'nutters/

I have found that lanterns are another rabbit hole associated with bonsai. There is so much to learn about them and Japanese gardens. Lanterns come in many styles and some require (or should have) specific placement in the landscape.

Also a little known thing in the west is that most toro are NOT lighted, or not lighted enough to illuminate the landscape at night--

“In Japan putting an electric light bulb in your stone lantern might be seen as somewhat humorous,” writes Sukiya Living Magazine.

Lanterns are more of a signal about something IN the garden. For instance, some lanterns are placed near places in the garden that are transitional, steps for instance, or at water's edge. They are more about being lighthouses than lighting.
 

ChefB

Mame
Messages
195
Reaction score
217
Location
New Orleans
USDA Zone
9a
Funny you mention it! I was just searching stone lanterns yesterday after I saw I think @Clicio added one to his garden. They should be assembled of 5 pieces representing the 5 elements of Buddhism. The bottom piece touching the ground represents Chi-Earth, next Sui-water, Ka-fire, Fu-air and the uppermost piece pointing to the sky representing ku void or spirit. I find them very attractive and love the feeling they evoke. They seem to fetch quite a hefty sum also. I saw some ok looking ones on Amazon, but to have a garden that would be worthy of some authentic Japanese ones and the bank account to back it up is nothing shy of an impossible dream. @rockm, is yours an antique from Japan or a modern carved one? Something else? I’m interested if you are willing to share.
 

Potawatomi13

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,168
Reaction score
4,403
Location
Eugene, OR
USDA Zone
8
How about difficult to unobtanium genuine Copper watering cans of decent capacity and reasonably reasonable price🤔? And genuine utility for trees health.
 

mj_barb

Mame
Messages
100
Reaction score
172
Location
Fairfax, VA
USDA Zone
7A
The article you linked was a great read, thanks for sharing!

I have a small cement one that my mom insisted that I take this year at Easter. It moves around my yard as I need to cut the grass under it, and is filled with deer repellent (snake oil). I was pretty sure this was not the traditional use, but now I know for sure.
 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
Messages
13,017
Reaction score
29,699
Location
SE MI- Bonsai'd for 12 years both MA and N GA
USDA Zone
6a
I've had a stone lantern for at least 20 years. It's 5 pieces of carved granite and weighs at least 150# so it most definitely doesn't get moved very often. I purchased it from New England Bonsai Gardens, after which it sat sentinel in perhaps the world's saddest Japanese garden that I unknowingly built on a giant patch of poison ivy on the edge of the woods in March after we purchased our first house in MA. It then moved to GA where it marked the entrance to my bonsai garden at the bottom of the hill in my back yard. The pictures from 2 years ago show it's just beginning to develop some patina after almost 20 years. Today, it's in my yard in MI, in pieces, waiting for me to place it... it hasn't gotten any lighter so I'm taking my time deciding where it's gonna go.IMG_4916.jpgIMG_5007.jpg
 
Last edited:

Clicio

Masterpiece
Messages
3,002
Reaction score
8,299
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
USDA Zone
11a
It has a light, so is it funny?
"Also a little known thing in the west is that most toro are NOT lighted, or not lighted enough to illuminate the landscape at night--"

It has a small low brightness bulb that barely illuminates the nearest bonsai around.
I don't find it funny at all, just rather poetic.
This bench is located very near a tsukubai - mini pond - so the lantern fits in perfectly. Below a picture of the tsukubai.

20230106_125954.jpg
20230106_130131.jpg
 

Clicio

Masterpiece
Messages
3,002
Reaction score
8,299
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
USDA Zone
11a
I've had a stone lantern for at least 20 years. It's 5 pieces of carved granite and weighs at least 150# so it most definitely doesn't get moved very often. I purchased it from New England Bonsai Gardens, after which it sat sentinel in perhaps the world's saddest Japanese garden that I unknowingly built on a giant patch of poison ivy on the edge of the woods in March after we purchased our first house in MA. It then moved to GA where it marked the entrance to my bonsai garden at the bottom of the hill in my back yard. The pictures from 2 years ago show it's just beginning to develop some patina after almost 20 years. Today, it's in my yard in MI, in pieces, waiting for me to place it... it hasn't gotten any lighter so I'm taking my time deciding where it's gonna go.View attachment 491994View attachment 491995
Beautiful @Dav4 , I love the patina on yours.
 

Eckhoffw

Masterpiece
Messages
2,937
Reaction score
4,754
Location
St. Paul Mn.
USDA Zone
4b
Would be nice to have a decent one
Of these. A quick search, and I found this one from Etsy seller that seems nice -hand cut granite. After shipping will run about 1000$.

E575CF0D-35C3-4DD2-A583-F3422B1C52B0.jpg
 

Eckhoffw

Masterpiece
Messages
2,937
Reaction score
4,754
Location
St. Paul Mn.
USDA Zone
4b
Found some nice options at
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
I'll try to post a larger photo of mine. Been really busy these days. It's very similar to @Dav4 Oribe, carved granite with a Jizo carving on the post.

I've had it around 20 years as well. It's developing patina, but mostly from birds perching on its top 😁 It has been home to about 50 generations of lizards. Carved in California. Got it from now-closed Japanese import store in D.C.

FWIW, Oribe style is named for Lord Furuta Oribe (1544-1615), who was instrumental in spreading the practice of the formal tea ceremony. He was a student of Sen no Rikyu, who developed "the way or tea." That movement, in turn, helped set important esthetic styles used in bonsai, particularly the incorporation of Wabi (rustic simplicity).
 

Attachments

  • lizard.jpg
    lizard.jpg
    60.8 KB · Views: 23
Last edited:

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,184
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
It has a light, so is it funny?
The use of lanterns in Japanese gardens is not for lighting. It is more symbolic from what I understand. Lanterns are used more as signposts that mark significant things, or transitional areas, like stairs, or paths. Much like gravel and small rocks stand in for water in Karen san sui or dry gardens--known in the west as "Zen Gardens."

Westerners tend to take things very literally, so they tend to put actual lights inside lanterns. That's fine. Doesn't make that much difference. I am too lazy to do it 😁
 
Top Bottom