e-scapes

From kit to lantern

One to two hours at the bench.

Building an Andon takes roughly one to two hours. You back the laser-cut panels with rice paper, lock the notched beams into a frame, set the panels between the posts, and seat the roof on top.

There are no screws and no power tools. Wood glue and a razor are the only things you supply. Paint or stain, if you want it, goes on before assembly.

Two finished e-scapes lanterns, one stained black with a Himeji Castle panel and one in natural wood with a snake panel

The steps

Four steps, start to finish.

  1. Four laser-cut panels, dragon, rabbit, rat and snake, backed with rice paper
    01Prepare the panels.Clear the laser cuts, glue rice paper to the hidden face, and trim it once it dries.
  2. The bare wooden frame: four posts joined by notched rails, with the lamp on the base plate
    02Build the lantern body.Notched beams lock the four posts into two squares. The lamp sits on the base plate.
  3. The frame with monkey and horse panels set between the posts
    03Attach the panels.Each panel sits between the posts, rice paper facing in.
  4. The finished natural-wood lantern with its shingled roof in place
    04Attach the roof.Magnets seat the shingled roof on the rails. It lifts off to reach the lamp.

The assembly manual covers every step in detail.

Choose four panelsAssembly manual