oribe dourou　織部灯籠

KEY WORD :　architecture / lanterns

A small lantern used to light pathways. It is baseless and inserted directly into the earth. On top is a spherical jewel *houju 宝珠 with a sharp end point. The canopy is square with a square flame holder and sun and moon designs carved on two sides. The stem is 4 sided with Christain symbolism carved into it. On the front of the stem, the letters IHS are carved together with an Lhq symbol. Oribe dourou from the Edo period can be found in various areas. Also called *kirishitan dourou キリシタン灯籠. After Francis Xavier landed at Kagoshima in 1549, his missionary work increased and was widely disseminated throughout Japan under daimyou 大名 protection. However, during the Edo period, the Christains were persecuted and forced into hiding. Since they were forbidden to openly worship statutes of Christ or Mary, it is thought that they transposed their worship to other carved images, marking them with secret symbols which were only understood by the initiated. Oribe dourou are examples of this.

REFERENCES:

*tourou 灯籠

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NOTES:

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