1. Purpose and method of study
Some of the elements of Buddhist tradition I hope to elucidate by means of the follwing include the Oribe stone lantern, characters that commonly appear on stone poles, a statue based ideologically on the Noh song Yuya, the notes of Oribe, the records of Choando, the Pole star Bodhisattva faith, and Jizo Bodhisattva (who vows to deliver all people from this suffering world).
2. Oribe Stone lantern: an outline
The Oribe Stone lantern, originally designed by Furuta Oribe, is made entirely of stone, and consists of five parts; a pole surmounted by a stand, an alcove for the light, and a shade topped with an ornamental gem-shaped protuberance. A distinguishing feature of the structure is that it lacks a foundation stone, the lower part being buried directly into the earth. It is in wide use as the lantern accompanying the stone wash basins found in the gardens of tea houses.
The structure of the Oribe lantern is quadrilateral and is contrived to resemble a rough, fortuitously-shaped stone. It can be compared to a five-wheeled stupa symbolic of the five elements; earth, water, fire, wind, and air. The pole as a whole symbolizes both earth and water. Two features of the upper part of the pole represent water: a line engraved right around the pole, and an arc overhanging each side. Earth is suggested on the pole by a molding on its lower part, points in which correspond to the quadrilateral upper part or shoulder of the lantern, in itself a symbolic representation of earth. It is this molding which presents the most plausible evidence for the symbolic nature of the lantern. In turn, the shade capping the lantern represents a triangular flame, and the ornamental gem atop that the wind and the air.
In fact the Oribe lantern can also function as a kind of memorial stupa. Characters may be inscribed on the upper part of the pole, while the lower part may be engraved with verse or a reverent image of the Buddha. It has been constructed for uses both public or religious: as a street lantern, milepost or route indicator; or as a stone image of Jizo Bodhisattva or Horse-headed Kannon Bodhisattva.
3. Summation
The Oribe lantern, designed by Furuta Oribe, is based on a lantern comprised of various parts with its base buried in the ground. I consider it to be an outdoor lantern at which to pray to rid oneself of evil and calamity, and to call down happiess. It is founded in the vision of the Pole star faith, and intends to convey the manifestation of earthly happiness in its form-that of a Tsuji, an outdoor lantern made of stone.

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