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Here is a wonderful Edo period Japanese Bow-Stretched paper lantern, with its own lacquered box. This is the type of lantern that would be carried at night, not only to illuminate the area or path, but to also identify the person carrying it. The lantern has the family crest of "Ito" and the calligraphy says either Irima-gawa or Iruma-gawa (river). This would make it either Toyko or Osaka, depending on the translation. The fact that it has its own lacquered box with matching family crest is a good indication that it was not made as a temple lantern. Finding a piece like this today is quite rare and the beautiful condition of this lantern and its box makes it wonderfully rare.

The lantern itself measures 11 1/2 inches high by 8 inches diameter and with the foot and top rings, measures 16 3/4 inches high. The top rim is 4 1/4 inches in diameter and the foot rim is 4 inches in diameter. *please realize that the measurments are close approximents as the piece is delicate and I was afraid to handle it too much* The bow folds in half, is lacquered bamboo, stands 18 inches high and measures 5 3/4 inches from the top tip to the curve. The box looks like black lacquered kiri wood, with the Ito family crest in red and measures 11 3/4 inches wide x 4 3/4 inches deep x 10 1/4 inches high. The lid measures 12 1/2 inches x 5 inches x 1 1/4 inches. The lantern, as I said, is in excellent condition. There are some small areas where the paper has had minor burns and one spot at the top rim where there is a small tear, but I can find no areas of repair. The base has the pricket for supporting a candle and the chain to prevent over-extending. The stand is resting on a book in the photos to stand it straight but it may only need the metal tabs on the bottom adjusted, which I would rather not fool with myself. ...... $800.00