I was trying to find the origin of the placement for the Kotoji lantern and I came across this site showing the lantern with both of its legs in water in Kenrokuen gardens. The later photo shows one leg in the water and one on land. The explanation I found was one leg was broken and to remedy the situation the gardeners put the long leg in the water and the short on on shore. In doing so it created harmony between the water and land.

I still have not found information on the origin of the lantern or its original intent of placement. Was the original intent to have both legs in the water for placement???????????????

I am sure many of you know of this garden and its history because it is so famous but I had never seen this before.
Now I have more Questions and hope someone can steer me toward the right answers.

Cheers Jando

Here is the site if it doesn't come up:
http//shofu.pref.ishikawa.jp/shofu/meienki/e/rekishi/period_e/d02x2.html

The entire site is very interesting I hope you all enjoy.

Great question Jando. I haven't the faintest; heard them called harp style, and I guess they are always associated with water, but that's all I've got...

Scott

the second unusual piece is that Toshitsune had little water in the castle/garden and to get the water he commissioned Itaya Heishiro to solve the problem. He did this by using the siphon system to get the water to run up hill from the river 5 miles away. It still works today.

The Koto bridge is the 'tuning' device on the neck of the koto, which is tuned by sliding it up or down, which allows different lengths of the strings to be tightened and played. Each string has a bridge...

-the top is of the yukimi type, making it a 'near water' lantern in which the underside of the lantern umbrella is most important as it echoes the level/expanse of the water.

Yukimi lanterns are often found in water, being an original position, as I would underline the importance of at least 'being familiar' with the sutras, if a question such as this arises, --in which Mike mentioned earlier that from the sutras, the leg shape of the yukimi was taken from the lotus.
Lotus of course being found emerging from the water, as the lantern would. As water placements (a shelf need be built) are difficult, I would suspect that the yukimi moved onto solid land, where the view was of the top, and only a part of the legs showing through reed grasses, again evoking 'in water', amongst lotus.

lastly, there are 6 sides to the yukimi umbrella, and I would suspect a relation there to the six impossible joinings (that you mentioned elsewhen), of vastness, solemnity, endeavor, venerability, abundant water, and vast views, that as a 'Chinese design impossibility' is the basis for this garden design, having succeeded (and you can go further into that story, I'm not needed for it)

looking at the 6 sided (6 principles) Narabe (pointed end type = Chinese) types, evoking China/other land with standard lotus legs, I pondered a year+ ago if the Kotoji successfully carries the thought of yukimi, plus leg in water, leg in 'other land', as shown by its placement in the garden, origin of the Koto instrument, etc., -- not trying to be cryptic, but as Mike mentioned he had done a lot of research that he has not had a chance to pass on to me (so I can't say, merely suspect and connect dots) and this post is long enough for limited time, best to ask Mike)
-perhaps others have more or different information to share,
edzard

Scott

Edzard, I knew some of what you posted and I thank you for all the information. And I can see how the lotus flower is more prevalent on some lantern designs than others. I now will relate the six sides of the lantern to the six attributes in the garden. I also did not know that the Yukimi lanterns placement were originally in water. Do you suppose the water got so deep the lantern was moved to an Island and that is why it is usually placed today near water. Maybe the Kotoji lantern then was introduced with its long legs to keep the light above water. Just thinking out load. Mike can probably put fact to my ramblings.

I do know the original lanterns were made of metal and introduced to Japan from China. I think I also read they were not prevalent in the Japanese Garden until the introduction of the tea ceremonies. The tea master then used lanterns to light the path for the tea ceremony Today you do not see too many Japanese Gardens without a lantern. Funny how things evolve from need.

Now many of us who place a lantern in the garden do not give much thought to its origin or where the placement of a lantern would be correct. I know I didn't before learning more history of the Japanese Garden. Years ago before I got into this I purchased my Kotoji lantern for my garden because of its grace and beauty. I proudly displayed it atop of an island covered in stone next to a dry stream bed. It now looks much better one leg on land and the other in the water.

Now would it be correct to place the Kotoji entirely in water, I always thought it represented the connection between land and sea with one leg on land and the other in water. But there must be an earlier use and meaning with both legs in the water. Always more questions??????????????

Cheers Jando

Cheers Jando

Cheers Jando