ABSTRACT
In the space between the gateway and the temple or the interior of a landscape garden there is laid out an avenue lined with toro, or fixed lanterns, on both sides. The dim flame of the once used lanterns gave a mystic cast to the night scene in former days. The toro are used more as a decoration today: they light the garden in advantageous spots and are usually placed where they will reflect in water. Simple and massive in design, they are made of bronze or stone, and may differ in form and height, but they are all constructed of five parts representing the five elements: wood, fire, water, metal and earth.
