Lantern - pagoda - tōrō lantern - cast iron - Butterfly lantern

The pagoda-style tōrō lantern is a traditional Japanese garden lantern typically made from cast iron, often used to illuminate and beautify outdoor spaces such as temple grounds and gardens. Featuring a tiered, pagoda-like roof, these lanterns symbolize protection and spiritual light in Buddhist contexts. The Butterfly lantern variation likely includes decorative motifs inspired by butterflies, a symbol of transformation and grace in Japanese aesthetics. Cast iron tōrō lanterns combine durability with intricate craftsmanship, making them prized both as functional garden elements and as cultural artifacts embodying the harmony of nature and spirituality.