1.
lantern (stone or paper)
A traditional lantern, either a stone lantern found in gardens, shrines, and temples, or a paper or wooden lantern used in festivals and Buddhist ceremonies.
庭に石灯籠がある。
There is a stone lantern in the garden.
お盆に灯籠を川に流す行事がある。
There is a custom of floating lanterns on the river during the Obon festival.
神社の参道に並ぶ石灯籠に火が灯され、幻想的な雰囲気になった。
The stone lanterns lining the shrine approach were lit, creating a magical atmosphere.
TYPES:
- 石灯籠: stone lantern, a fixture of Japanese gardens and shrine grounds
- 灯籠流し: floating paper lanterns on a river, a Buddhist ceremony during Obon to guide spirits of the dead
- 吊り灯籠: hanging lantern
KANJI NOTE:
Also written 灯篭. The character 籠 (basket/cage) reflects the lantern's structure of enclosing a light source.
READING NOTE:
In the compound 石灯籠, the reading changes to どうろう through rendaku (sequential voicing).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 石灯籠: stone lantern
- 灯籠流し: lantern floating ceremony
- 灯籠に火を灯す: to light a lantern