Somewhat related. I was surprise to find that building in Tokyo Open Air Museum. http://digitalmuseum.rekibun.or.jp/app/structure/detail?id=s...

> Since lighting equipment for photography was not fully developed in those days, frosted glass was used for the second-floor windows on the north side of the studio for lighting purposes.

I've been there in the rainy day and even then I'd say light was quite OK. I don't know a lot about photography but it was very interesting to see how people solved these problems back in the day.