The Story of Japanese Bamboo Lamp “Moonlight” & “Hagoromo”

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 transcends mere functionality; it bestows warmth and depth upon a room, possessing an intrinsic power to usher stillness into our hearts.

Among lighting options, the floor lamp is beloved as an item that illuminates our most personal spaces, adding a sophisticated accent. Now, a new light has emerged in the world of floor lamps, one born from Japan's deep traditions and a truly special background. This is the "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" bamboo floor lamp series, a fusion of Japan's proud history of bamboo craft, the delicate technique of creating impossibly thin bamboo strips, and the skill of a rare artisan who carries this legacy into the modern era. Deeply rooted in an 800-year tradition, yet designed in harmony with contemporary lifestyles and imbued with the warmth unique to the natural material of bamboo, these bamboo lamps 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 and the light imbued with a unique story will enrich your daily life, making it something truly special. The use of bamboo, a sustainable material, will also appeal to those with an interest in wellness and mindfulness.

The delicate and poetic beauty of light and shadow cast by "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" is born from an astonishing traditional craft from Shizuoka Prefecture known as "Shizuoka Bamboo Craft," specifically "Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku," (Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work) which dates back approximately 800 years to the Kamakura period. The defining feature of this craft is the technique of "splitting" bamboo into extremely thin strips (less than 1mm thick) and then "weaving" or "assembling" them with high density to create complex, delicate patterns and three-dimensional forms. "Sensuji" literally means "a thousand strips," indicating just how fine and numerous the bamboo strips are that this technique employs.

While Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku (Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work) was once primarily used for products like insect cages and daily necessities, its techniques have been refined over a long history to create flower vases, tea ceremony utensils, and now, lighting fixtures and interior products tailored to modern lifestyles. This advanced technique is a traditional craft that demands patience and mastery, said to require five to ten years of training to learn. It was designated as a National "Traditional Craft" in 1976 and is highly acclaimed both in Japan and internationally. "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" are lavishly infused with the delicate, painstaking, and artistic handwork of Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku (Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work). The skill to produce such a fine and supple expression of light from a single, hard piece of bamboo can be called the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship.

Bamboo crafts like "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo," which demand such delicate and advanced techniques, could not exist without the skill of their creators and their passion for preserving tradition. And these lamps are made by the sole female artisan in the craft association, a woman who carries the 800-year history of Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku (Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work) into the modern day.

The Shizuoka Bamboo Craft Cooperative Association is a collective of master artisans based in Shizuoka City, who create bamboo crafts that incorporate modern sensibilities while protecting traditional techniques. Among them, the female artisan who crafts "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" possesses the exceptional "Sensuji Zaiku" skills cultivated through many years of arduous training and a deep love for the material of bamboo. In her hands, hard bamboo is transformed into incredibly delicate strips less than 1mm thick, which are then spun into graceful curves and breathtakingly complex weaves. The process of splitting, bending, and weaving each strip by hand requires an immense amount of time and concentration.

Her work in creating beautiful bamboo lamps that harmonize with modern spaces while preserving traditional techniques makes her a precious existence in the history of Japanese bamboo craft. As the sole female artisan inheriting this delicate skill in a world of traditional crafts often dominated by men, her story imbues the products themselves with a special soul and meaning. "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" are truly "living art pieces," infused with the spirit and handwork of a rare artisan who has inherited an 800-year tradition and continues to let it shine today. Knowing this background makes the light emanating from the lamps resonate even more deeply within the heart.

The design of "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" is primarily characterized by the combination of the delicate weaving or construction of sub-1mm bamboo strips using the Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku technique, and the soft light emitted through washi paper. The natural curves of the bamboo and the intricately woven patterns cast beautiful "shadow patterns" on walls and surrounding surfaces when lit, bringing depth and a fantastical atmosphere to the space. This interplay of light and shadow changes its expression depending on the viewing angle and placement, offering endless visual beauty.

The "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" floor lamps bring tranquility and refinement to various spaces through their gentle light, the natural warmth of bamboo, and their high degree of artistry from the interplay of light and shadow. They are perfect as floor lamps to add three-dimensionality to a space next to a living room sofa or in a corner, and also as lamps to transform a bedroom into a healing space when placed on a bedside table. They excel in diverse scenes as both floor and table lamps. The natural warmth of bamboo and the delicate weaves and curves created by sub-1mm bamboo strips add a sense of calm and visual comfort to a space. 

The beautiful shadow patterns projected onto walls and the surroundings bring a quiet, fantastical atmosphere, providing visual tranquility. They blend naturally with a wide range of interiors, including modern, Japanese-style rooms, Scandinavian style, and the popular Japandi style, which fuses Japanese aesthetics with Nordic functionality. They are especially striking when combined with other natural materials (such as wood furniture and linen curtains), creating a pleasant space that incorporates elements of biophilic design.

The unique atmosphere created by the interplay of light and shadow is perfect for spaces where you want to forget the fatigue of the day and relax both mind and body. Placed by the bedside, it provides a gentle light for calm moments before sleep; in the living room, it creates a quiet and beautiful ambiance for conversation or reading. These lamps are soul-satisfying art pieces that fuse an 800-year-old traditional craft, the skill of a rare artisan, and natural materials, transforming your space into a special place. Being lightweight and portable, you can easily bring this beautiful art of light and shadow to the place where you feel most at ease.

"Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" are made from natural materials like bamboo and washi paper, and feature a lacquer finish, all crafted with the delicate 800-year-old traditional technique of Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku. To preserve the beautiful texture of these bamboo lamps and the craftsmanship for a long time and to enjoy the gentle light emitted by this "art piece of light," careful maintenance is essential. This is not just about maintaining the product but is also an act of respect for the 800-year tradition and the rare artisan who carries it into the modern era.

Gently brush away any dust from the gaps in the bamboo strips, the washi paper, and the lacquered parts with a soft brush or a dry, soft cloth. Be particularly careful to clean the dust that can accumulate between the bamboo strips. The sub-1mm bamboo strips and the intricate weaving are extremely delicate, so take great care not to apply force or snag them. As washi is a delicate material and weak against water, avoid using a wet cloth or exposing it to moisture.

As bamboo is a natural material, extreme dryness or humidity can cause warping, cracking, or mold. It is strongly recommended to avoid placing the lamps in areas exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, in the direct path of an air conditioner, or in humid places like a bathroom. For the lacquered parts (gradient finish), wipe gently with a dry, soft cloth. Do not use chemical detergents or cleaners containing abrasives, as they can damage the material or the finish.

With proper care and cautious handling, you can enjoy the beautiful light, design, and the texture of a material imbued with an 800-year tradition from "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" for many years to come.

The "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" bamboo lamps are art pieces that fuse the unparalleled deep tradition of Japan's 800-year-old bamboo craft, the mastery of the rare female artisan who inherits it, and the beauty of bamboo as a natural material. At the same time, they are designed for ease of use in various modern environments, allowing people worldwide to enjoy their light. This reflects the artisan's desire to convey this tradition to the modern world.

"Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" are made to Japanese electrical standards, with a voltage of 100V. For use overseas (especially in North America with 120V, Europe with 230V, etc.), you must use an appropriate step-down transformer rated for your region's voltage. Additionally, a plug adapter will be required if the outlet shape is different. The effort of confirming and preparing this equipment can be seen as a worthwhile step to acquire such a special product. This is a characteristic of being "authentic" and not mass-produced.

The bulb socket size is E26. The product is designed for indoor use only and cannot be used outdoors.

Each product is meticulously handcrafted by the rare artisan and packed as a finished item, requiring no assembly. You can illuminate your space with this special light, lit by an 800-year-old tradition for the modern age, right out of the box.

The Japanese Bamboo Table Lamps "Moonlight" and "Hagoromo" are true art pieces of light, born from the fusion of the 800-year history of Shizuoka bamboo craft—especially the delicate technique of Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku (Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work)—and the mastery of the sole female artisan, a rare existence who inherits this legacy. The complex and beautiful patterns, carefully woven from bamboo split to less than 1mm, and the soft light emitted through washi paper bring serene tranquility, the natural warmth of bamboo, and poetic patterns of light and shadow to your space. Welcoming these bamboo lamps means incorporating Japan's rich tradition, craftsmanship, and natural beauty into your daily life, while also protecting and supporting the precious legacy of a single artisan. We invite you to welcome "Moonlight" or "Hagoromo" into your life. The light of bamboo, lit by an 800-year tradition, will enrich your daily space, transforming it into a more soul-satisfying "Sanctuary."