The "Chouchin", or Japanese Lantern

For me there is just something about the Japanese paper lantern, or chouchin. Hung beside the entrance to eating and drinking establishments, it is simply inviting, promising all manner of gustatory and bibulous pleasures. Depending from the gateway to a temple or shrine, it is awesomely impressive. And carried by Japanese children for the festival of the dead, the chouchin is unutterably touching. But enough of the purple prose. Did you know that there were no fewer than six types of paper lantern? No, you say?  Then let's illuminate.