On the Typical Features of “Kasuga” and other Similar Type Garden Lanterns

Abstract

“Kasuga” and other similar type lanterns belong to the so called “Sao-dati-doro” or lanetrns standing with columns, having “Kurin” or spires, “Kasa” or umbrellas, “Hibukuro” or lantern boxes and “Ukedai”or sustaining rests in the upper part, and “Sao”or columns and “Jirin” or ground circular rests in the lower body. “Kurin” is usually composed of three parts: “Hoju” or literally a divin jewel, an ornamental top, “Ukehana” or a rest shaping lotus flowers and “Fukubati” or literally a pot turned over, used as a supporter of “Ukehana”, sometimes adding “Roban” or a ground plate to them, in this case four parts, and sometimes losing one or two or them but “Hoju” remaining in all cases, “Kasa”is generally formed of three parts: “Omune” or a large ridge literally, meaning the uppermost ridge, “Yanaka” or an intermediate roof and “Noki” or an eaves, “Omune” being a hexagonal plate and thin, “Yanaka” a six sided hip-roof with S-letter shaped and comparatively steep inclination, “Noki” comparatively thick on all six sides having “Warabite” or bracken-shaped ornaments at their six corners. “Hibukuro” is a hexagonal hollow column and each side has “Ramma” or a transom window, “Higuti”or lighting hole otherwise a window and “Kosi” or a skirting. “Ukedai” consists of three parts called “Dan”, “Ukedai” and “Ukeza”, all three piled up to rest “Hibukuro”, “Sao” is columnar and divided into five parts: “Uebusi” or an upper joint, “Uezao”or an upper column, a middle joint, a lower column and a lower joint. “Jirin” is made of two parts: “Renza” or a lotus-flower shaped seat and “Soban”or a ground rest and is firmly set on the foundation.