Erosho, a traditional craft of Aizu (now Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture), is said to date back about 600 years. In the winter months, people in Aizu began placing candles decorated with colorful flowers at Buddhist altars during the season when no flowers bloom. Over time, thanks to the protection of successive feudal lords, erosho flourished as one of Aizu's leading industries. The collected wax is exposed to the sun to whiten it, then a natural protein is applied to the exterior, making it possible to paint pictures on the oily surface. The wick, made of Japanese paper wrapped with rush grass, is characterized by a larger and brighter flame than Western candles. The erosho candles also have beautiful color development, so the pictures appear to emerge when lit.