History of Japanese Lanterns

Visiting Japan includes looking at the array of beautiful stone and paper lanterns so long a tradition in the small nation. With its introduction by a traveler from the Asian continent in the 1500s the convention of the Japanese lantern continues today as a cultural icon. Starting with use in temples and marking holy grounds in carved stone lights, the paper lantern rapidly took precedence to became a household utility, surpassed only by employment of enterprising inn and shop keepers to advertise room vacancies and food items. The worldly use of stone lanterns evolved with the sacred tea ceremony. Today, the institution of the Japanese lantern use is an evolutionary mix of the paper orb lamp and the modern flashing lights in its cities.