What Are Toro? Discovering Traditional Japanese Lanterns

by Anne Walther | CRAFT

© Thor Alvis, Japanese Lantern in Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo

Toro (灯籠, 灯篭, 灯楼) are traditional Japanese lanterns made of metal, stone, or wood. Their forebears came originally from China, where lanterns can still be admired in Chinese gardens and Buddhist temples. They can also be found, less common, in Korea and Vietnam.

In Japan, toro were originally placed in Buddhist temples, where they framed and illuminated pathways, and were regarded as an offering to Buddha. They began to be used in Shinto shrines and around Japanese homes from the Heian period (794–1185) onwards.

Toro lanterns are still widely used today, and you will find them in temples, parks and gardens throughout Japan. So how are they used, what do they mean, and how can you use Japanese lanterns yourself?

When Was the First Japanese Toro Lantern?

The oldest bronze and stone lanterns can be found in Nara. The deer city of today was the capital of Japan and the seat of the emperor during the Nara period (710-794). The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are comprised of eight ruins, shrines and temples. If you haven’t been to Nara yet, have a look at our 20 Best Things to Do in Nara for Every Season.

Taima-dera, a Buddhist temple located in Katsuragi, Nara prefecture, possesses a very primitive stone lantern built during the Nara period (710-794). Kasuga-taisha, a Shinto shrine located in Nara, owns a lantern of the following Heian period (794-1185). The interior of this shrine is renowned for its many bronze lanterns, as well as its surroundings, decorated by numerous stone lanterns.

The Great Lantern Woodblock Print — The Great Lantern at Nanzen-ji Temple by Hasegawa Sadanobu I, 1870

During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1600) stone lanterns were used as garden ornaments by tea masters. New types were developed, according to the needs of their owners. In modern Japanese gardens, toro still have an ornamental function and are placed to light paths, near water ponds, or close to a building.

What Does the Shape of Toro Lanterns Mean?

Pedestal Stone Lantern — Japanese Stone Lantern

In their original form, stone and bronze lanterns embody the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The closest piece to the ground represents the earth (chi); the next part on top of it represents water (sui). The portion encasing the lantern's light represents the fire (ka). The air (fu) and the spirit (ku) are symbolized by the two upper sections that are close to the sky.

Such lanterns are also a metaphor for the ephemerality of life: after death, our physical bodies will go back to their elemental and original form.

Excluding the fire section, any elements may be added or removed. For example, moveable lanterns such as oki-doro rest directly on the ground and sometimes without any umbrella.

What are the Different Types of Japanes Lanterns?

Toro can be categorized into various types: bronze or stone, buried, hanging, movable or pedestal lanterns.

Bronze Floor Lanterns

Bronze and Stone Pedestal Lantern — © Whole World Heritage, Stone Lanterns at Nikko

Kondo-doro (金銅燈籠, gilt bronze lantern) are usually antique, often tall, and not as common as stone lanterns. Beautiful examples may be seen at Todai-ji temple in Nara or at Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, featuring hundreds of iron and stone lanterns. Discover our article 20 Best Things to Do in Nikko to learn more about this World Heritage site.

Dutch Bronze Lantern — Revolving Lantern at Nikko

A wonderful vestige from the seventeenth century, the Dutch Lantern from Tosho-gu shrine, also known as the Revolving Lantern, would spin when lit, driven by the hot air generated within it.

Metal Hanging Lanterns

Hanging Wooden Lantern — Tsuri-Doro Lantern

Tsuri-doro (釣灯籠, hanging lantern) are bronze, copper, iron or wood lanterns which usually hang from roof cornices at palatial residences, shrines, and temples. Also called kaitomoshi (掻灯), tsuri-doro are four- or six-sided lanterns of small dimensions.

Hanging Metal Lanterns — Metal Lanterns at Kasuga

Introduced from China through Korea during the Nara period (710-784), they were initially employed in imperial palaces. Kasuga shrine in Nara possesses more than 1000 hanging lanterns, donated by worshipers.

Stone Lanterns

© Anika Ogusu, Real Japanese Gardens, Stone Lantern

Dai-doro (台灯籠, platform lantern) are lanterns used in gardens and along the pathways of shrines or temples. The two most common types of dai-doro are bronze lanterns and stone lanterns. They look very similar, in terms of shape, to hanging lanterns, but they rest on a pedestal.

A dai-doro made of stone is called by a generic term: ishi-doro (石灯籠, stone lantern). Okazaki, in Aichi prefecture, is one of the most popular and traditional regions of production of stone lanterns, where stonemasonry was protected by the government in 1979.

How are Stone Lanterns Made?

The traditional components of a stone (or bronze) lantern are clearly defined. A kidan (基壇, base platform) is a shaped piece of rock that is sometimes placed under the base, on the ground. The base, named kiso (基礎, foundation) is usually rounded or hexagonal, and nonexistent in a buried lantern.

The sao (竿, post, or shaft) is either circular or square in cross-section. It often features a kind of "belt" near its middle. The platform for the lantern’s light is named chudai (中台, central platform) while the lantern’s fire section above it is called hibukuro (火袋, fire sack).

A conical or pyramidal umbrella named kasa (笠, umbrella) stays on top of the fire box. Its upward curled corners are called warabide or warabite (蕨手). The lotus-shaped part on top of it is named ukebana (請花, receiving flower) and the onion-shaped finial is called hoju or hoshu (宝珠, jewel)

What are the Different Types of Stone Lanterns?

Stone lanterns can be categorized into numerous types, each of them having several variations.

Pedestal Lanterns

Tachidoro (立ち灯籠), or pedestal lanterns, are the most widespread. Even if there are more than twenty subtypes, they always have a base, and the fire segment is often embellished with carved deer or peonies.

Named after the Shinto shrine of Kasuga-taisha in Nara, kasuga-doro (春日灯籠) are garden lanterns that can be found at shrines and temples. Their umbrella is modest, with six or eight sides and upward curled corners. The fire section is hexagonal or square, and adorned with carved patterns representing deer, the moon, or the sun. High and thin, kasuga-doro are often found near the second torii (gate) of a Shinto shrine.

Pedestal Lantern — © Lucas Calloch, Temple in Yamanashi

The second most ancient stone lantern in Japan, dating from the Heian period (794-1185), can also be found at Kasuga shrine in Nara. It is a yunoki-doro (柚ノ木灯篭, citron tree stone lantern) and literature says that its name came from a citrus tree that was planted close to it. Its post is embellished with carved rings at the bottom, middle and top while its hexagonal base and middle platform are adorned with lotuses. The lantern’s umbrella is plain, without any warabite (curled corners) nor ukebana (receiving flower). These lanterns became widespread in tea house gardens during the Edo period (1603-1867).

Nozura-doro (野面灯籠) are lanterns made with unpolished stones.

Buried Lanterns

Buried lanterns are called ikekomi-doro (活け込み燈籠). Their posts do not stand on a base but are directly placed into the ground. Of small dimensions, these lanterns are usually employed along pathways or close to stone basins in Japanese gardens. Below are some of the most common types of buried lanterns.

Oribe-doro (織部灯籠) are named after Furuta Shigenari, a nobleman widely known as Oribe, who designed them to be placed in gardens. Protected by a small and four-sided umbrella, the fire section is shaped into a cube and is equipped with a window on each side. The front and back windows are square, the right and left apertures are correspondingly designed as a crescent moon and as the full moon.

Mizubotaro Lantern — Mizubotaru-Doro Lantern

Mizubotaru-doro (水蛍燈籠) can be seen at the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. They feature a square and rounded roof, a fire section with square openings on the front and back and double-triangle apertures on the left and right sides.

Movable Lanterns

Movable Stone Lantern — Oki-Doro Lantern

Oki-doro (置き燈籠) are small and movable lanterns that are not fixed on the ground. They often resemble to hanging lanterns and are usually employed along pathways and close to house entrances.

Sanko-doro (三光灯籠, three lights lanterns) are stone lanterns with a low roof. Their windows are designed as the sun in the front, the moon in the back, and a star on the other sides. Usually placed near water, an example of this lantern can be observed in the garden of the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto.

Yukimi Doro Lantern — Yukimi-Doro Lantern

Yukimi-doro (雪見燈籠, snow-viewing lanterns) have one- to six curved legs, and a large umbrella. Their finial is either absent or low or absent. They are traditionally placed near water, and a three-legged lantern will often have two legs in the water, and one on the earth. Their umbrella can be round or have three to eight sides. Below, their fire section is often hexagonal. The oldest examples can be viewed in Kyoto, at the Katsura Imperial Villa, and date from the seventeenth century.

How to Enjoy Japanese Lanterns at Home?

Toro offer the perfect traditional illumination for every garden or even balcony. Japanese lanterns can be used anywhere in Eastern and Western surroundings, and even inside, whether you have many Japanese elements, or none. A pedestal lantern (or more) will always bring a special atmosphere to a garden, while a small movable or hanging lantern will give Japanese flair to a balcony.

One may appreciate old and imperfect items with oxidation or moss or prefer a clean and well-made reproduction. It is really a matter of personal taste.

So, are you ready to light up your surroundings?