Japanese stone lanterns were first used in ancient Shinto shrines where they served as votive lights. In the sixteenth century, Japanese tea masters included the stone lantern in Buddhist tea gardens as a means to light the way with their rustic beauty and rich light. From classic to contemporary, Stone Forest lanterns are informed by this centuries-old tradition.

The Japanese stone basin also dates back to the earliest Shinto shrines where they held water used for ritual cleansing. The tea ceremony, infused with the spirit of Zen, required purity of mind and body. To this end, stone basins were later included in tea gardens so that guests could symbolically dip their hands before entering the tea house.

Stone Forest has been hand-carving traditional Japanese lanterns and basins and our own original designs for over 30 years. Our lantern and basin selection has a quality you will not find anywhere else.

Our traditional Japanese stone lanterns and basins are made to exacting Japanese specifications. Stone Forest can custom carve any style Japanese lantern  or basin at your request.