Akari Lighting

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 05:55:07 +0000

In 1951 Isamu Noguchi began to design the Akari Light Sculptures, works characterised by weightless luminosity. He chose the name ‘akari’ for these objects, a word that means ‘light’ in Japanese, connoting both illumination and physical lightness. Akari Lighting emerged from this concept, embodying both artistic expression and functional design. During a journey to Japan, Noguchi paid a visit to Gifu, a town known for its manufacture of paper parasols and lanterns. While there he sketched his first two Akari Light Sculptures, and over the following years he created a total of more than 100 models, consisting of table, floor and ceiling lamps ranging in size from 24 to 290 cm. To create the ribbed shape, thin bamboo rods are stretched across the original wooden form designed by Noguchi. Then washi paper is cut into strips and painstakingly adhered to the bamboo ribbing. After the drying process, the wooden form is removed and the lantern can be collapsed flat. visit our profile on Google Maps.