vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


20 March 2016

Sunday Stamps II - 66

1973 issue for New Year, bronze lantern

This bronze lantern was unearthed in 1910 on the grounds of the Chiba Temple. An inscription on the top indicates it was cast in 1550. The hexagonal lantern has alternating patterns of bamboo and plum panels on the central cylinder with one panel serving as a door. Apart from this door, the whole lantern was cast of one piece. It stands 11 3/4" and can now be seen in the Tokyo National Museum.

for the colour green

6 comments:

Bob Scotney said...

A marvellous lantern - I'm ammazed that it was cst such a long time ago, The green background sets it of well.

Ana said...

Such a piece of art...and wow, amazing that it is so old! Lovely!! Thank you for sharing it!

Joy said...

Amazing it lay undetected all those years.

Mail Adventures said...

A beautiful piece of art that really deserved a stamp.

FinnBadger said...

Impressive stamp and history.

Heleen said...

An interesting story and beautiful image!
But bronze... then at first it might have been bronze coloured instead of green?!?? Anyhow, indeed what the others said: it's so amazing that this lantern has kept so well for so much time!