Izumo Ishidoro

Old from the start

Izumo lanterns are carved from Kimachi stone, a tuff sandstone formed some 14 million years ago and found only around Izumo. Its fine, tightly packed grains allow refined, soft and elegant work. Even freshly cut it looks mellow, it quickly gathers moss, and it stands up well to cold, heat and weather. There are 26 basic designs, each with rules for dimensions, finish and carving. It is made in Matsue and Izumo in Shimane and in Sakaiminato in Tottori.

Adze, pick and chisel

• Each part is shaped with adzes and pickaxes to balance its curves, slopes and ridges.
• Relief carving and decoration are cut with chisels.
• Surfaces are finished smooth, grainy, sharkskin-textured or left like natural stone, to suit the piece.

A lord's protected stone

Izumo lanterns have been made from local Kimachi stone since ancient times. In the Edo period the local lord recognised its value and made it a protected stone that ordinary people could not quarry, also using it for building. Lanterns from the early Tokugawa period still survive. From the Meiji era Izumo lanterns became popular across Japan for gardens and interiors.