Hanging Lantern with Plum Trees and Bamboo

This lantern was hung from the eaves of a temple. A small bowl filled with oil was placed inside, with a wick then inserted and set alight. Lanterns play an important role in Buddhism, with fire offered to the Buddha alongside water, flowers, and incense. Despite this lantern's beautifully-balanced shape, the main highlights here are the openwork designs of pretty plum blossoms and supple bamboo. These have been meticulously rendered, from the pistils of the blossoms, to the joints and tiny shoots of the bamboo. When the flame was lit, the lantern must have exuded an ethereal, spellbinding beauty with its dancing bamboo and plum blossom silhouettes. This lantern was gifted to a Buddhist temple, where it was used to present offerings of light to the gods. It was likely made in Tenmyō, Tochigi Prefecture, an area famous for its cast-iron tea kettles. Made from a single piece of cast bronze, this lantern attests to the skill of Tenmyō artisans.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.