Japan, a hand carved granite stone leaning lantern Rankei, 120cm, 48” high and 100cm, 40” deep, Showa period (1920’s-1950s)

The handsome and well proportioned one-of-a-kind Lilly Rankei leaning style lantern fashioned in five parts from granite stone as a finial Hohju and roof kasa, a man carved light chamber Hibukuro, mid platform nakadai, leg shaft sao, and over sized boulder style base kiso.

Great choice for pathways or water features

Stone  lanterns, Ishidoro were introduced to Japan via Korea and China in the sixth century AD. They were used initially in temples and later shrines as votive lights. About the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted for secular purposes and designed and placed in the gardens of tea houses and private residences made famous by tea master Sen Rikkyu 千利休 (1522-92). Kasuga lantern is a style of lantern named for the Kasuga Grand Shrine- a centuries old Shinto Shrine located in Nara, Japan and famous for its abundance of stone lanterns leading up to the shrine. Other lantern variations including this scarce “monkey” themed and multiple roof ridged lantern were introduced over the past two centuries. Lanterns crafted from shirakawa granite are considered to be the finest quality lanterns.