Toro originates from a basket containing a light, as literally meant by the kanji (灯篭), more specifically, a lantern consisting of wooden frames and paper, etc. covering the frames to prevent the light from being blown out by the wind etc. which is assumed to have been used by Buddhist priests.
元は文字通り、灯（あかり）籠（かご）であり、あかりの火が風などで消えないように木枠と紙などで囲いをしたもので僧侶が用いたとされる。