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In Japan a 〔"灯篭" is just a simplified form of "灯籠".〕 is a traditional lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Like many other elements of Japanese traditional architecture, it originated in China; however extant specimens in that country are very rare, and in Korea they are not as common as in Japan.〔In Japan, ''tōrō'' were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Japanese Stone Lanterns )〕 During the Heian period (794–1185), however, they started being used also in Shinto shrines and private homes.〔 The oldest extant bronze and stone lanterns can be found in Nara. Taima-ji has a stone lantern built during the Nara period, while Kasuga-taisha has one of the following Heian period. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1600) stone lanterns were popularized by tea masters, who used them as a decoration in their gardens.〔 Soon they started to develop new types according to the need. In modern gardens they have a purely ornamental function and are laid along paths, near water or next to a building.〔 ''Tōrō'' can be classified in two main types, the , which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and the used in gardens and along the approach (''sandō'') of a shrine or temple.〔 The two most common types of ''dai-dōrō'' are the bronze lantern and the stone lantern, which look like hanging lanterns laid to rest on a pedestal. In its complete, original form (some of its elements may be either missing or additions), like the ''gorintō'' and the pagoda the ''dai-dōrō'' represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Five Element Pagodas, Stupas, Steles, Gravestones )〕 The bottom-most piece, 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 ''fū'' (air) and ''kū'' (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. The segments express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form. ==Hanging lanterns== Also called , ''tsuri-dōrō'' hanging lanterns are small, four- or six-sided and made in metal, copper or wood. They were introduced from China via Korea during the Nara period and were initially used in Imperial palaces.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tōrō」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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