From our recent Japanese acquisitions

Impressive simple design

A hard to find Japanese black mountain house “Kusaya” garden lantern in a pleasing simple design.

The timbered split pole roof line in combination with square and round windows makes it special and a stand out.

Superb garden candidate. Open the easy access door and insert your special lighting device.

May be either suspended in your favorite indoor or outdoor space, or comfortably set upon a favorite table or garden surface. Our clients like to place their favorite led or candles inside.

A good old example dating to the early Showa period, 1930s.
Notice the wonderful extended top main line roof timbers- detailing we seldom see.

Dimensions: 11 inches tall to top of loop and 6 inches square

Quality: Sturdily crafted from heavy hand cast iron

Good garden candidate, this is an ideal accent size for a small outdoor or indoor zen garden.

Only one.

Provenance: Old Japanese American garden.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

Our gallery based in Newport, Rhode Island USA has been dealing in authentic Pre-Columbian, Japanese and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels across America as well as Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.

History of Japanese lanterns:
In Japan a toro¯ (lantern) is a traditional lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Like many other elements of Japanese traditional architecture, it originated in China. In Japan, to¯ro¯ were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths and lighted lanterns were then considered an offering. In its complete, original form the lantern represents five elements of Buddhist cosmology: Bottom touching the ground, represents chi, the earth, the next section represents sui, or water, ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern’s light or flame, while fu¯ (air) and ku¯ (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. These last two sections express the IDEA that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.
Yukimi-do¯ro¯ or legged lanterns have as a base not a post but curved legs and a wide umbrella with a finial. Relatively low, they are used exclusively in gardens and the traditional placement is near water. The umbrella can be round or have from three to eight sides, while the fire box is usually hexagonal. Yu-loosley translated means water reflection. It was probably developed during the Momoyama period, but the oldest extant examples, found at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto, go back only to the early Edo period (17th century).