ISHIDORO
Stone Statues and Funeral Urns
For protective stone markers, please visit Dosojin page

 Last Update June 10, 2003 = Added Photos

Ishidoro from Raikoji Shrine in Kamakura

Below Text Courtesy of Tadahiro Kondo
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/termlogy.htm

Gorinto
Translated into English with many phrases such as Five-tier-tomb, Five-element-stele (pagoda, stupa), Five-wheel-pagoda, Five-ring-tower or Gravemarkers with five-tiers. Whatever you may call, it is made of five pieces of stones as a grave marker or cenotaph erected for the repose of the departed. Usually made of five tiers of curved stone, each expressing one of the basic elements of the universe: The earth, water, fire, wind and the sky, which Buddhists believe create everything of the universe. The bottom stone is a cube and called the Earth ring expressing the earth. From the second, a sphere (Water ring), triangular shape like pyramid (Fire ring), semi-sphere (Wind ring) and placed on top is peach-shaped hoju (mani in Sanskrit) and is called Sky ring. The concept is similar to that of Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), who said the material universe consists of four elements; fire, air, earth and water. On each stone, there usually appears a Sanskrit symbol. Gorinto first appeared sometime in the middle of the Heian Period (794-1185) and many of them can be seen in Kyoto as well, but the ones made during the Kamakura Period are most beautiful, say experts on Gorinto. Its height ranges from one to four meters. Characteristic is that it is indigenous to Japan and can be seen in no other countries. Most of the existing Gorinto in Kamakura were made in the late Kamakura Period. Masterpieces:

Hokyo-into
If Gorinto translates as Five-element-stele, then Hokyo-into should be called Three-element-stele, representing, from the bottom, the earth, water and fire. In the middle is a square cube, and on each surface, an image of the Lord Buddha is often engraved. Like Gorinto, this was erected mostly as a cenotaph and partly as a tomb.

When I visited the Kamakura Museum for the first time, I was unable to tell the difference between the two. I asked the receptionist for help. She sent for a specialist working for the museum. The specialist was kind enough to explain the difference, and gave me copied literatures relating to them. In short, all stones of Hokyo-into are squarely cut and it consists of the footing, body, umbrella and ornamental top. An-yo-in has the oldest one in the Kanto area behind its main hall.

Artistic Stone Statues (below photos)

 Outside private home in Kamakura City

Above & Below
Stone decorations at Daimon Shuzo (sake brewer)

Below: MORE PHOTOS (Since June 2003)

Funeral Urn, Nanbokucho Era
Photo taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Museum


Ishidoro at Jomyo-ji in Kamakura


Ishidoro near Kamakura-gu in Kamakura

Funeral Urns at Zenyo-in (Inatori City)


Funeral Urns at Zenyo-in (Inatori City)


Memorial Tablet and Funeral Urn at Zenyo-in (Inatori City)