The Tidal Basin in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lighting the Way
Japanese Stone Lantern
| | National Mall & Memorial Parks, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 16, 2009
1. "Japanese Stone Lantern - Lighting the Way" Marker
Each year, the National Park Service and the National Council of State Societies conduct the Lantern Lighting Ceremony. The Embassy of Japan appoints a Cherry Blossom Princess for the occasion. As the audience counts down from five, the lantern is lit in an exciting, traditional event that signals the arrival of Spring in the Nations Capital.
Originally offered in 1921 to complement Japans 1912 gift of flowering cherry trees, this 20-ton, 17th century stone lantern soon fell victim to deteriorating relations between the United States and Japan. For thirty-two more years it stood next to its twin in Tokyos Ueno Park, awaiting developments. Tensions erupted on December 7, 1941 after the Japanese military bombed U.S. naval forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. When cultural ties, peace, amity and commerce reemerged following World War II, Ambassador Sadao Iguchi of Japan presented the lantern to the city of Washington, D.C. Dedicated on March 30, 1954, the lantern celebrates the centennial of the opening of peaceful relations between the two nations. This 1854 event is also honored by a Washington Monument commemorative stone, a United States Navy Memorial bas-relief, and the Japanese pagoda on the opposite side of the Tidal Basin.
Erected 2009 by National Park Service, U.S. Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Events • Peace • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1927.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.211′ N, 77° 2.471′ W. Marker was in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The Tidal Basin. It was on Independence Avenue Southwest east of West Basin Drive Southwest, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the grass off Independence Avenue Southwest, east of West Basin Drive, Southwest, near the crosswalk west of the Tidal Basin Bridge, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A Symbol of International Friendship (here, next to this marker); The Gift of Trees (here, next to this marker); The First Japanese Cherry Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); John Paul Jones Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); District of Columbia War Memorial (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named District of Columbia War Memorial
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 16, 2009
2. "Japanese Stone Lantern - Lighting the Way" Marker
stone lantern visible in background at edge of the Tidal Basin.
Other markers no longer nearby. Japanese Stone Lantern (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The 1912 Cherry Tree Plantings (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Japanese Pagoda (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); District of Columbia World War Memorial (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named John Paul Jones Memorial (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker.
[Caption:]
Anatomy of a Stone Lantern - ishidourou:
A. houju - a sacred gem.
B. kasa - cherry blossom-adorned
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 16, 2009
3. Japanese Stone Lantern
C. hibukuro - fire box with moon phases.
D. chuudai - lotus flower middle base.
E. soa - lantern support.
F. kiso - lantern base.
G. kidan - lantern platform.
(Images provided by the National Park Service, National Capital Region.)
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. (Submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. National Cherry Blossom Festival
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 4, 2010
4. U.S. Senator Jim Webb speaks at the annual lantern lighting ceremony, April 4, 2010
To his right sit Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America Ichiro Fujisaki and his wife.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, April 4, 2010
5. Japanese Stone Lantern - Annual Lighting Ceremony during the National Cherry Blossum Festival
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,457 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
