Japan, an unusually large and handsome large antique handcrafted temple lotus bronze lantern with lotus leaf petals and prolific incised designs.

This particular lantern was authentically used in a temple as witnessed by the signature on the front panel no doubt a dedication by a generous and appreciative patron.

This is the first signed example in this above average larger size size and style we have seen in years of dealing with fine Japanese garden ornaments.

Period: Meiji period, 1890

Quality: Crafted from heavy bronze sheet with engraved base by Japanese specialized artisans over 120 years ago.

Good garden candidate- this is an ideal accent with strong presence and scale for a small outdoor or indoor Zen garden.

Dimensions: 21 inches tall to top of Loop and 18 inches diameter

Only one.

Provenance: Old Japanese Southern collection.

Many of our customers place oil candles inside the main section making a romantic and enjoyable decorative accent for entertaining friends and family. It’s a perfect choice for your indoor or outdoor garden space.

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese antique garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for many years. Our president personally travels to Japan each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique ornament to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition. After accumulating a group, they are imported to Vermont and Maine in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We carefully pack and ship to clients all-over the USA and at reasonable shipping costs.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

We are members of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA) specializing for ten years now in old and authentic Japanese stone garden ornaments.

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.

Yukimidoro 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).

We have been dealing in authentic Japanese and Chinese Fine art, antiquities, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. The president personally travels to Japan 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 and Maine in large containers. This method keeps shipping costs low and enables us to offer them to you at reasonable prices. We carefully pack and ship to clients all-over the USA and at reasonable shipping costs.