1The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

I. Introduction

In preparation for a school visit to the Huntington Botanical Gardens’ Japanese Gardentour, we will observe images of Japanese lanterns, and will make lanterns out of clay. The

history and symbolism of Japanese lanterns will be introduced, and concepts of design anddecorative elements will be explored in the Japanese garden.

II. Objective

� To introduce students to decorative elements in the Japanese garden through learningabout Japanese lanterns and making a model of one out of clay.

III. Standards Assessed

Visual Arts Standards(California Department of Eduction, 2001)

Standard 1.0Artistic Perception: Processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information throughthe language and skills unique to the visual arts.

Standard 2.0Creative Expression: Creating, performing, and participating in the visual arts

Standard 3.0Historical and Cultural Context: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history andculture.

Standard 4.0Aesthetic Valuing: Responding to, analyzing, and making judgments about works in thevisual arts.

JAPANESE STONE LANTERNS:CULTURE AND DECORATION IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Botanical Garden Programs: Japanese Gardens

Grades 4–7

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2 The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

IV. Background

Stone and bronze lanterns have been used in Japanese temple precincts and gardensfor hundreds of years. The use of stone lanterns dates back to 600 A.D., when

they were brought from China. Originally, lanterns were used to line entrances totemples and pagodas. Some of the earliest lanterns had compartments for an oil lamp.The lamps were lit as an offering to the Buddha. When lanterns were introduced intoJapanese tea gardens, they became popular as a garden element. These lanterns lit theway through a garden for an evening tea ceremony. In contemporary gardens, lanternsare placed for aesthetic purposes. Japanese lanterns are positioned along a curve in a path,near water, or near a building.

Japanese lanterns come in a number of different forms. Lanterns on a vertical post arecalled pedestal lanterns (tachi-doro), other lanterns have multiple supports and are calledlegged lanterns (ashitsuki-doro). A buried lantern (ikekomi-doro) has its base sunk directlyinto the soil. The parts of a pedestal lantern are labeled on (Student Handout Two). Atthe Huntington, your students will see mostly pedestal and legged lanterns.

V. Materials Needed

� Images or photographs of different lanterns (Student Handout One)

� Labeled drawing of a lantern (Student Handout Two)

� Clay

� Pencils

VI. Procedure

1. Show your students images of different Japanese lanterns (Student Handout One).Explain that they will see many of these during their visit to the Huntington’sJapanese Garden. Discuss the forms and the purpose of the lanterns:

a) Why do you think that there are lanterns in Japanese gardens?

b) Do they serve decorative purposes?

c) Could they serve functional purposes?

d) What similarities and differences do you notice between these differentexamples?

2. Distribute copies of the worksheet that have the different parts of a lantern labeled(Student Handout Two).

a) Where does the light go?

b) Why do you think the base is called the earth ring?

c) What does the top of the lantern look like to you?

Japanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden Program Japanese Stone Lanterns

3The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

3. Ask students to think about how they would make a stone lantern. Have them sketchtheir ideas & label the different components.

4. Distribute clay for the students to work with. Ask them to each make a small modelof a Japanese lantern. They can use pencils to carve in designs.

5. Let the lantersn dry in a safe place. If you have the facilities to fire clay, that is great.Otherwise, consider using a clay that air dries or can be baked in an oven.

VII. Discussion Questions

1. What purposes do lanterns serve in Japanese gardens?

2. What similarities and differences do you notice between the different kinds oflanterns?

3. What materials are Japanese lanterns made out of?

4. How do you think Japanese lanterns are made?

VIII. Making Connections

1. Research different types of gardens, for example: Japanese, Chinese, English,formal, informal.

2. What sculptures and decorative elements can you find in a Japanese garden?

3. In other types of gardens, what kinds of decorative elements do they have? How dothey compare with those in Japanese gardens?

4. What kind of atmosphere do you think the lanterns help to create in the Japanesegarden?

5. How would you compare Japanese lanterns to other kinds of lights and lanterns inoutdoor settings?

IX. Extension Activities

1. Research the history of Japanese lanterns: what was the original significance oflanterns at temples? How were the lanterns connected with Buddhism in Japan?How were they made?

2. Research and think about the symbolism of the different parts of a Japanese lantern.Incorporate different designs that represent specific things to you in your lantern.Write about what each symbol means.

3. Create a miniature garden to put your lantern into. Try to incorporate plants, rocks,water, and other Japanese garden elements, like a dry garden, bonsai court, pagodasculpture, or statues.

Japanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden Program Japanese Stone Lanterns

4 The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Japanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden Program Japanese Stone Lanterns—Student Handout One

Japanese Lanterns at The Huntington Botanical Gardens

Peda

stal

Typ

e

Leg

ged

Typ

e

5The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

jewel

umbrella

light compartment

central platform

post

earth ring

Japanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden Program Japanese Stone Lanterns—Student Handout Two

Parts of a stone lanternTachi-doro, or pedestal type

6 The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Japanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden ProgramJapanese Garden Program Japanese Stone Lanterns—Vocabulary

VOCABULARY

buried lantern a lantern with its base sunken directly into the soil

earth ring the base of a stone lantern; it is called the earth ring because of itsconnection with the ground

pedestal an upright support for a sculpture or, in this case, for a lantern; in Japaneselanterns it is often round, and is also referred to as a post

legged lantern a lantern with multiple supports

stone lanterns stone lanterns can have spiritual significance, but can also be used asdecorative garden elements; stone lanterns in Japan are some-times litduring ceremonies

symbolism the association of meaning with specific objects, plants, animals or places