Visiting Japan includes looking at the array of beautiful stone and paper lanterns so long a tradition in the small nation. With its introduction by a traveler from the Asian continent in the 1500s the convention of the Japanese lantern continues today as a cultural icon. Starting with use in temples and marking holy grounds in carved stone lights, the paper lantern rapidly took precedence to became a household utility, surpassed only by employment of enterprising inn and shop keepers to advertise room vacancies and food items. The worldly use of stone lanterns evolved with the sacred tea ceremony. Today, the institution of the Japanese lantern use is an evolutionary mix of the paper orb lamp and the modern flashing lights in its cities.

Origin

Enjoying the warm glow of Japanese paper lamps at night festivities and watching the changing shadows cast by the sun through stone lamps in gardens are a part of this island nation's history since the 6th century. A Korean Buddhist monk brought the idea of the lamp and Buddhism from China by way of Korea.

Stone Lanterns in Religion

Embracing Buddhism, the Japanese use of stone lamps called Ishidoro, originally served to light temples and later marked the grounds of these shrine areas. Stone lantern shapes were specific in meaning and became more worldly in use with the onset of the Japanese sacred tea ceremony. This national tradition came about when the Chinese introduced the hot beverage to this neighbor to the east. Lighting dark paths leading to the tea ceremonial hut, stone lanterns eventually moved into use in modern times as garden decorations.

Foods Spelled Out In Paper Lights

Favorite national foods offered throughout the country in shops and stalls illuminate the names of the dishes on brightly colored paper orbs or proclaim room vacancies. There is no guessing what's on the menu with the lanterns spelling it out.

Homes Lit in Lanterns

Picturing a Japanese lantern more often makes a Westerner think of the oiled paper and bamboo framed lights. These types of lamps typically are still found outside private residents hanging from eaves along roofs. Some of these lanterns hang from poles carried in festival parades. The sizes vary according to need, from the small and whimsical to the large and imposing.

Modern Japan

Lighting up the night in modern Japan is a visual mixture of the arcane and the state of the art. Any commercial street of this nation's teeming cities is a kaleidoscope of colorful neon flashing signs with traditional lanterns jammed in between. Originally candles lit the lamps of Japan, whether stone or paper. Now the sun lights the shapes coming from the stone garden lamps and electric bulbs fill the paper shapes.