Kotoji Lantern, beauty in asymmetry

One of the elements always present in a Japanese garden is the stone lantern. One of the most common types, the yukimi lantern is usually placed near water, sometimes even with the "legs" immersed...

That's the case of the Kotoji lantern from the Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, an original version of yukimi lantern shaped like a bridge on the traditional Japanese instrument koto. Since the lantern's overall height is 2.67 meters, one of its legs, which goes into the water, is unusually long (2 meters) while the other one, supported by a taller rock, is only 80 centimeters. A powerful asymmetry creating an exquisite effect....