sekidōgata ishidōrō 石幢形石灯籠

A type of stone lantern, ishidōrō 石灯籠. Shaped like a Buddhist memorial *sekidō 石幢, it has a hexagonal or octagonal base with a faceted pillar on it. On top of the pillar is the fire box, topped with canopy and sacred jewel, common to most stone lanterns. The special characteristic of the sekidōgata ishidōrō are the 6 buddhas, carved in relief on each face of the fire box. Originally derived from the sekidō, a monument displaying Buddhist relief carvings, it is thought that the fire hole was carved out to adapt the monument to function as a lantern.