Stone lanterns (灯籠/灯篭/灯楼; Chinese: dēnglóng; Japanese: tōrō, meaning 'light basket', 'light tower') are a type of traditional East Asian lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and 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. Their use in Shinto shrines and also private homes started during the Heian period (794–1185).
Stone lanterns have been known in China as early as the Han dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE), and prevailed from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties all the way up to the Tang Dynasty, when they were introduced to Japan. The earliest known extant stone lantern in China is the Northern Qi (550-577) stone lantern in the remains of Tongzi Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Other early stone lanterns which date from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) remain extant in several temples around China, such as the stone lantern in Faxing Temple in Zhangzi, Shanxi which was built in 773.
