PRODUCT DESCRIPTION (ENGLISH)
A Heian-Era Legacy: The Sacred Light of Kasuga Grand Shrine
The Yunoki Lantern (Yunoki Tōrō) is one of the most historically significant and artistically distinguished stone lanterns in Japanese history. Its original masterpiece (Honka), dating back to the late Heian Period (circa 1137 AD, traditionally attributed to a donation by Regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi), is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is safely preserved inside the Kasuga Grand Shrine Treasure House in Nara.
The name "Yunoki" (Yuzu Tree) originates from its historic position under a sacred citrus tree south of the Wakamiya Shrine. Among over 1,500 stone lanterns at Kasuga Grand Shrine, it stands as the oldest surviving stone lantern, serving as the definitive model for aristocratic tea gardens and prestigious traditional landscapes since the Edo Period.
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### DISTINCTIVE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES & CRAFTSMANSHIP
1. Rare Geometric Harmony: Octagonal Top & Hexagonal Base
Uniquely contrasting with standard lantern designs, the Yunoki Lantern features an elegant octagonal (8-sided) structure from the fire chamber upward, balanced seamlessly upon a powerful hexagonal (6-sided) foundational pedestal (Jirin).
2. Triple-Node Pillar & Clean Roof Contour
The circular central pillar (Sao) is meticulously hand-carved with three distinct nodes (fushi) that create a refined structural tension. The roof canopy (Kasa) intentionally omits the traditional curled corner ornamentation (Warabite), achieving a sleek, understated elegance that epitomizes classic Heian aesthetics.
3. Poetic Water-Lotus Base Design
The upper surface of the foundational base is intricately carved with lotus flower petals (Remben). When rain falls, water fills the shallow carvings, creating a poetic, ethereal scene where lotus petals appear to float gracefully on the water's surface.
4. Artisan Chisel Finish (Nomi-Shiage) & Fine Granite
Hand-carved by master stone artisans using traditional chisel techniques (Nomi-shiage) on premium Japanese granite (such as Hirukawa Stone). Over decades of outdoor display, the stone ages gracefully, acquiring an authentic moss-draped Wabi-Sabi patina.
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### SPECIFICATIONS & DIMENSIONS
- Material: Premium Natural Japanese Granite (Hirukawa Stone / Okazaki Granite)
- Craftsmanship: Traditional Hand-Chiseled Finish (Nomi-Shiage)
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Standard Sizes Available: 5.0 Shaku (Approx. 1.5 m) to 7.0 Shaku (Approx. 2.1 m / Standard Honka Scale)
- Origin: Hand-carved in Okazaki, Japan
