灯籠Lanterns

春日大社は日本一灯籠が多い神社で、日本で初めて灯籠が参道に建てられた神社です。春日大社では、鎌倉時代に参道に灯籠が並べられ、室町時代以前の灯籠の6割以上が春日大社にあるそうです。Kasuga Taisha is the shrine with the largest number of lanterns in Japan and is said to be the first shrine where lanterns were erected along the approach. During the Kamakura period, rows of lanterns were placed along the sandō (approach), and more than 60 percent of the lanterns dating from before the Muromachi period are said to be found at Kasuga Taisha.

御間型灯籠　おあいがたとうろう　Oai-gata Lanterns

戦国時代にルイス・フロイスによって書かれた『日本史』によると、春日大社の灯籠はとても精巧にできており、漆で塗られ、金で飾られていたそうです。現代の多くの灯籠はそのように豪華ではありませんが、春日大社では当時の灯籠が再現されています。

According to The History of Japan, written in the Sengoku period by Luis Frois, a Portuguese missionary, the lanterns of Kasuga Taisha were exquisitely crafted, lacquered, and decorated with gold. While many lanterns today are not quite as luxurious, replicas of these historical lanterns have been recreated for Kasuga Taisha.

苔むしています。天文3年（1534年）とあります。織田信長が誕生した年です。

The lanterns are covered in moss. One bears the inscription “Tenbun 3” (1534), the year  Oda Nobunaga was born.

右が新しい灯籠、左が古い灯籠。

In the photograph, the lantern on the right is newer, while the one on the left is older.