A friend asked about the use of andon, the old lanterns of the Edo
period.

I had written a bit about it in an article on Oribe pottery and the
oil dishes used for andon. An aburazara (oil dish) with Daruma of my
collection is shown there.

http://www.amie.or.jp/daruma/Oribeyaki.html

The article about

The Japanese Art of Illumination

Text by Timothy Mertel
Photographs by Kevin Walsh
Photographs by Nancy Hines,
courtesy of Honeychurch Antiques

has a new link now, please read more about it here:
http://www.lasieexotique.com/mag_illuminations.html

quote:
The portable paper framed lanterns are called andon. They are noted
for the elegance and simplicity of the angular design. The wood
framed light chamber conceals an oil dish. The paper diffuses the
light -33 created within to soften the harshness of the bare flame.
It is believed that the advent of the shoji (papered sliding doors)
in Japanese interiors was an epochal event in the development of
Japanese lighting.

Shoji provided the concept of diffusing a light source. In the
daytime, these doors provided a shield against the harsh rays of
sunshine, but still permitted adequate light into the interior. The
same principle is applied with andon. They shield the bright flame
providing the ethereal lighting effect desired in Japanese interiors.

.......................................

Choochin ÄóÅô
is another kind of lantern, especially the red variety (aka choochin)
in front of restaurants and pubs.
There are also choochin in the form of Daruma san.

http://www.lcv.ne.jp/~surgek/tyoutinmagome.htm

how to make a Daruma Choochin, Daruma Lantern.
Click on the arrow to see how it is done.

http://www14.plala.or.jp/chouchin/koutei/koutei.htm

There will be more about Choochin and Daruma later.

Greetings from Japan
GABI