Listening to the voice of the lanterns: the shape of light dwelling in silence

Listening to the Voice of the Lanterns - Shapes of Light Dwelling in Silence

A single stone lantern lights up in the forest at night.
In the silence that seemed to absorb all the wind and sound,
The faint light seems to speak to us across time.

Lanterns are not just lighting fixtures.
It is a form of prayer, a memory of the landscape,
It is a quiet storyteller of Japanese culture, crystallizing the aesthetic sense of wabi-sabi.

The origins of lanterns - the intersection of fire and prayer

The origins of lanterns date back to the Nara period.
Stone lanterns were introduced to Japan along with Buddhism and placed in temple grounds.
As a symbol of the light of Buddha's wisdom,
It illuminates the feet of worshippers and also gently comforts those in the darkness of their hearts.

Eventually, lanterns spread to shrines and gardens,
Kasuga lanterns, Yukimi lanterns, Oribe lanterns, etc.
The ideas of prayer and beauty are woven into the shape and placement of the pieces.

The Aesthetics of Light and Shadow - The World of "In Praise of Shadows"

In the world of "In Praise of Shadows" as told by Junichiro Tanizaki,
Lanterns truly embody the dialogue between light and shadow.
Not a strong light, but a soft one.
The light blurs the contours and creates a blank space.
It brings a quiet tremor to the viewer's heart.

The moon and flower patterns carved into the firebox of the lantern
It is not just a decoration, but a small universe that reflects the seasons and prayers.
Each and every one of them embodies the hands and heart of the artisan.