Japan, a harder to find antique natural “Tree” form lantern, “Koboku-Toro” with fine handcrafted details, 1930s.

This is the earliest example of this style we have seen in over fifteen years of dealing with fine Japanese garden ornaments.

Dimensions: 36 inches tall and 13.5 inches wide

Period: An antique original from the early Showa period, 1930s.

Quality: Crafted from heavy iron with cut-out tree trunk design by Japanese specialized artisans almost 90 years ago. Sturdy and stabile. Weathered surfaces appropriate to its decades old age.

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

Only one.

Provenance: Old Japanese Nagoya/Gifu collection.
Many of our customers may place oil candles inside the main section making a romantic and enjoyable decorative accent for entertaining friends and family or add or replace electrical modifications inside the firebox. It’s a perfect choice for your indoor or outdoor garden space.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

History of Japanese lanterns:
In Japan a to¯ro¯ (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.

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese, Chinese, European, and Asian Fine art, antiquities, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels to Japan, Europe and China 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. After accumulating a group, they are imported to Vermont in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We ship internationally.