The Story of Japanese Paper Table Lamp "Lace Washi"

In our modern world, many of us long to step away from the daily clamor and embrace moments of serene tranquility. To transform one's home into a personal "Sanctuary"—a haven of profound peace—is a deeply held aspiration. The atmosphere of this cherished space is significantly shaped by light. Illumination does more than simply light up a room; it bestows warmth and depth, possessing the power to bring stillness to our hearts.

Among lighting options, the Japanese table lamp is beloved as an item that illuminates our most intimate spaces like a piece of art, adding a sophisticated accent to our personal world. Now, a new light has emerged in the realm of table lamps, one born from Japan's rich traditions and delicate techniques. This is the "Lace Washi" series, a unique paper table lamp and a fusion of the traditional craft of Gifu Chochin lanterns, the special "Lace Washi" paper born from a unique Mino Washi technique, and masterful artisanship. The shadows cast by its delicate lace patterns as light filters through are nothing short of poetic beauty. These paper lamps, deeply rooted in tradition yet possessing a modern design that complements a mid-century home, transcend mere illumination to bring profound tranquility and an art of light and shadow that speaks to the soul. A world apart from uniform mass-produced items, this authentic handcraft, unique material, and the story imbued within its light will enrich your daily life, making it something truly special.

The unparalleled beauty of the delicate light and shadow cast by the Japanese Paper Table Lamp"Lace Washi" series is born from two revered Japanese traditions: the intricate techniques of "Gifu Chochin" (Japanese paper lanterns), long cherished in Gifu Prefecture, and "Mino Washi," a paper with a venerable 1300-year history. Within this, an innovative material known as "Lace Washi" plays the starring role. Mino Washi is celebrated for being remarkably thin yet incredibly strong, and for its beautiful texture that allows light to filter through with a gentle softness. Each sheet is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans using carefully selected natural materials, resulting in a paper that is both delicate and durable, diffusing light softly and evenly, embodying the principles of wabi sabi arts.

The defining feature of the "Lace Washi" series is its use of "Lace Washi," a paper created by "incorporating" a delicate pattern during the papermaking process itself. Based on traditional Mino Washi techniques, this method uses specific fibers or molds while the paper is being formed to create intricate patterns within the sheet, patterns whose full form is only revealed when light passes through. This Lace Washi is then carefully hand-applied to the delicate frame of a Gifu lantern to create the "Lace Washi" series shade, a modern paper lantern lamp.

Products like the Japanese Paper Table Lamp "Lace Washi" series, which fuse innovative techniques with traditional materials to achieve artistic expressions of light, cannot be born without the relentless spirit of inquiry of their creators. This delicate series of light art is handcrafted by Hayashi Kogei, a Gifu Prefecture-based workshop that has been creating lighting with Mino Washi for over 75 years. Hayashi Kogei is an atelier that consistently designs, manufactures, and sells innovative and aesthetically refined lighting fixtures and interior products that harmonize naturally with contemporary spaces, using Mino Washi—a precious Japanese cultural heritage—as its primary material, creating essential Japanese homeware.

The artisans at Hayashi Kogei have inherited and further refined not only the fundamental properties of the 1300-year-old Mino Washi, but also the advanced papermaking skills to create patterns within the washi itself, as seen in Lace Washi, and the delicate processing techniques to apply it beautifully to a lantern structure. Creating a product like the Japanese Paper Table Lamp "Lace Washi" series demands a high level of expertise in both washi knowledge and lantern-making, key to authentic Japanese design interior. Hayashi Kogei conducts every stage of production in-house—from manufacturing the Lace Washi and crafting the shade's frame, to pasting the washi, final assembly, and rigorous inspection. This comprehensive quality control system and the capability to manage everything from material to product are precisely why they can realize the delicate beauty of Lace Washi as high-quality lighting without compromise.

Hayashi Kogei is a true collective of creators, not merely preserving tradition but continually pursuing the immeasurable potential of washi as a material, crafting beautiful "products of light" that resonate with modern living. Their ventures into new forms of expression, such as Lace Washi, demonstrate the potential inherent in Japanese traditional crafts. Knowing their passion will undoubtedly make the light brought into your space by the "Lace Washi" Japanese paper lamp resonate even more deeply within your heart, and it is a crucial element in understanding the "authentic" value absent in mass-produced items—namely, the artisan's soul and the material's story.

The design of the "Lace Washi" series is primarily characterized by the delicate patterns inherent in the Lace Washi itself, and the interplay of light and shadow it creates when illuminated. The tall, cylindrical, minimalist design—a user-friendly table paper lamp size at approximately 10.6 in (27cm) high and 5.5 in (14cm) wide—functions as a "canvas" to maximize the delicate expression of the washi and the artistry of the light. The clean form, free of excessive ornamentation, blends naturally into a variety of modern interiors, from mid century style to Japandi style.

When lit, the Lace Washi shade softly transmits light, bringing a warm atmosphere to the room. Simultaneously, the traditional Japanese patterns (Asanoha, Seigaiha) incorporated into the washi cast delicate and beautiful "shadow patterns" onto the walls and surrounding space. This interplay of light and shadow captivates the beholder, bringing a unique expression, depth, and dynamic elements hidden within static beauty to the room. It is a moment where one feels not just brightness, but the artistry of light itself.

The series comes in three variations, each with a different atmosphere based on the shade's color and pattern combination:

The delicate light filtered through Lace Washi and the beautiful shadow patterns cast by traditional motifs are ideal elements for bringing an elegant atmosphere to various spaces and creating your personal, soul-satisfying "Sanctuary." It is especially suited for spaces where you seek both visual beauty and serene tranquility, such as a zen room or meditation room.

Placed on a Japandi living room side table, a shelf, or next to a piece of art, it adds warmth and depth as soft indirect lighting. The shadows created by the Lace Washi patterns lend a unique texture and expression to walls and surrounding areas, creating a quiet, calm atmosphere in a wabi sabi living room. On a bedside table in a Japanese bedroom, it provides a light that is gentle on the eyes, perfect for relaxing before sleep. The shadows can cast fantastical patterns on the walls and ceiling, making it perfect for a zen themed bedroom or Japandi bedroom.

The minimalist design naturally complements a wide range of interior styles—such as mid-century modern, Japanese-style, and the popular Japandi style (a fusion of Japanese aesthetics and Nordic functionality)—while elevating the overall quality of the space with its presence. The principles of mid century interior design and Japandi interior design both value this kind of simple, elegant functionality. With White, Black, and Brown color variations available, you can choose the perfect model to match your room's theme or existing Japanese decor.

Due to its delicate patterns and material properties, the Lace Washi shade of the Japanese Paper Table Lamp "Lace Washi" series requires particularly careful maintenance. To preserve the beauty of this Japanese lamp, an "art piece of light and shadow," for a long time, respect for traditional materials and cautious handling are paramount.

The washi shade is extremely delicate, and the lace-patterned areas are particularly prone to snagging, so please handle it with great care. If dust accumulates, use a soft brush or feather duster and gently brush it away with extreme caution to avoid catching on the lace sections. Avoid rubbing forcefully or pulling, as this can damage or tear the washi. Since washi is very vulnerable to water, never wipe it with a damp cloth or expose it to moisture.

Furthermore, washi is susceptible to UV rays, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause discoloration and deterioration. It is strongly recommended to avoid placing the lamp in areas exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. With proper care and cautious handling, you can enjoy this delicate art of light and shadow, a fusion of Japanese tradition and innovation, in its enduring beauty for many years.

While upholding the exceptional quality of a Japanese traditional craft, the "Lace Washi" series is also designed for ease of use in various modern environments worldwide. This reflects Hayashi Kogei's strong desire to deliver this delicate art of light, created by Japanese craftsmanship, across borders.

The light source uses one E12 (US) or E14 (EU) base bulb (not included). To maximize the delicate patterns of the Lace Washi, the use of a bulb with low heat emission, such as an LED bulb, is strongly recommended. The product is designed for indoor use only.

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp "Lace Washi" series is a table lamp imbued with Japanese aesthetics, a fusion of the unique beauty of Mino Washi (especially the innovative material of Lace Washi), the Gifu Chochin tradition spanning over 300 years, the masterful craftsmanship of Hayashi Kogei, and a minimalist design that embraces the principles of mid century modern design. The delicate patterns of the Lace Washi and the beautiful shadows they cast through the light are truly an art of light. Available in White, Black, and Brown variations, the special interplay of light and shadow created by Lace Washi will enrich your daily life, transforming your Japandi interior into a more soul-satisfying "Sanctuary."