The Story of Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini

Stepping away from the daily hustle and bustle to spend quiet moments that satisfy the soul. Turning one's home into a comforting "sanctuary" is a wish increasingly sought after by many people. The comfort of this precious space is shaped by various elements, but the power held by light is immeasurable. It imparts warmth to a room, creates atmosphere, and plays a role in calming the mind.

Among various lighting options, table lamps are cherished items that illuminate the most intimate places, bringing change to personal spaces. And now, a new presence has emerged, bringing unprecedented freedom and joy to the world of table lamps: the small, cordless mini table lamp. The freedom to "carry" light, without worrying about power outlet locations, expands new possibilities in your daily life.

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini series we introduce this time is truly an art piece designed to "carry light," a masterful fusion of Japan's rich traditional craft – the reliable techniques of "Yame Lanterns" passed down in Fukuoka Prefecture – and innovative functionality that complements modern lifestyles (battery-powered, cordless), all wrapped in lovable designs that will make you smile. This small Japanese lamp, imbued with genuine handwork and unique designs that differ from one piece to the next, distinct from standardized mass-produced goods, will bring quiet, profound peace and playful joy to your daily life. It is palm-sized light magic that will carry the comfort of a "sanctuary" to any place you desire. It serves as a charming paper lamp.

At the root of the warm, soft light contained within the small body of the "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series lies the reliable techniques and spirit of "Yame Lanterns," a traditional craft passed down in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, for approximately 200 years. Yame Lanterns are characterized by a unique technique called "Ichijo Rasen-shiki" (一条螺旋式), which involves winding a single, finely processed bamboo strip in a spiral to create the frame, and by applying beautiful paintings to the local hand-ladled Washi paper. Local natural materials such as Washi paper, bamboo, and lacquer are used, and skilled craftsmen have created some 3,000 different types of lanterns, including Obon lanterns and festival lanterns. The greatest charm of Yame Lanterns is undoubtedly the soft, enveloping, gentle light diffused through the Washi paper. This light has historically healed people's hearts and accompanied their lives, much like a traditional Japanese lantern.

The "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series inherits this lighting tradition and the reliable Washi-making techniques that Yame Lanterns have cultivated over two centuries, adapting them for modern life in the form of "miniatures." To reproduce the intricate techniques of Yame Lantern making within such a small, palm-sized form requires the advanced skills of seasoned artisans and delicate, meticulous handwork. The process of carefully winding each bamboo strip and flawlessly pasting the ultra-thin hand-ladled Washi paper is truly the crystallization of expert craftsmanship. Within these small lamps reside the rich history of Yame Lanterns and the soul of the artisans who pass it on to the present day. It is not merely a downsizing but a condensed beauty unique to miniatures, and the warmth brought by genuine handwork, making them delightful Japanese paper lanterns.

The fusion of traditional technique and modern design and functionality, as seen in the "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series, cannot be born without the strong passion and innovative vision of the creators who bring it to life. This appealing mini table lamp series is crafted by Shiraki Kogei, a workshop based in Yame City that continues to preserve the tradition of Yame Lanterns. Shiraki Kogei is a workshop specializing in creating the "Hibukuro" (火袋), or lantern shade, which can be considered the heart of Yame Lantern making, and their technical skill is highly regarded within the Yame Lantern industry.

They place great importance on passing down the traditional techniques essential for Yame Lantern making to future generations and are actively engaged in training the next generation of craftsmen. By nurturing individuals into full-fledged artisans, they are building the foundation for traditional skills to continue without interruption and even evolve further. And it is Shiraki Kogei that, based on the traditional techniques of Yame Lanterns, has pursued designs that harmonize with modern lifestyles in this "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series.

Shiraki Kogei, under the philosophy of "creating new value while respecting tradition," has fused the intricate handwork of Yame Lantern making with functionality that meets modern needs (battery-powered, cordless). Their handcrafted paper table lamps are exquisite. The Washi shades of these mini lamps, meticulously crafted one by one by their hands, breathe with the reliable techniques and warmth of Yame Lantern making. And by integrating this, they are striving to easily deliver the charm of traditional crafts, unbound by cords, to modern lifestyles worldwide. Shiraki Kogei is more than just a lantern workshop; they are a group of story-rich creators who bear the role of connecting Yame's rich craft culture to the future and to the world, offering unique Japanese homeware. Knowing their passion will surely make the light that the "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series brings to your space feel even deeper and more resonant with your heart.

One of the most captivating features of the "Japanese Paper Lamp Mini" series is its compact size that fits in the palm of your hand, combined with 10 lovable design variations that utilize traditional Yame Lantern techniques while adapting to modern sensibilities. High-quality, durable Yame hand-ladled Washi paper is used for the shades, maximizing its natural texture and its characteristic of softly diffusing light. The base part uses smooth-textured hard maple wood, whose gentle natural color and tactile feel further enhance the warmth of the Washi. This makes it a truly unique table lamp.

The appeal of this series lies in its rich variety of designs. The lineup features 10 unique designs, ranging from organic forms inspired by nature and animals to minimalist and geometric shapes. Each shape is given a name such as "Mountain," "Balloon," "Tree," "Dinosaur," "Ostrich," "Mini Tree," "Mini Triangle," "Mini Square," "Mini Circle," and "Mini Egg," further adding to their loveliness.

The greatest appeal of the "Japanese Paper Lamp Mini" series is that it is cordless, powered by two AAA batteries, and is surprisingly lightweight and compact. This portability and freedom dramatically, and in a soul-satisfying way, transform how you use light in your daily life.

There is no need to worry about the location of power outlets at all. You can easily carry and place it anywhere in your home where you feel, "It would be nice to have light here." For example, place it on your bedside table as a relaxing light or reading lamp before sleep. Since it's cordless, you can turn over in bed without worry. It's an ideal bedside table lamp. You can also place it on a side table in the living room, on a shelf displaying art, inside a display case, or by a window to enjoy its gentle light silhouette. Placed in a corner of your study desk, it functions as a calming personal light that doesn't disrupt concentration. These are wonderful living room lamps. You can use it in the entrance as a warm welcoming light when returning home or greeting guests, or in a children's room as a reassuring night light that doesn't disturb their sleep.

The warm light emitted through the Yame hand-ladled Washi brings peace and healing to the entire space. The 10 lovable forms and minimalist designs naturally blend into a wide range of interiors, including Japanese-style rooms, Mid-century Modern interiors, Nordic styles, and the Japandi style, which fuses Japanese aesthetics with Nordic warmth. They fit seamlessly into Japandi bedrooms and Japandi living rooms. By choosing your favorite design or arranging multiple designs together, you can add even more individuality and joy to your space. Beyond being a mere functional light, the "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series holds infinite possibilities as an item that brings comfort, playfulness, and "the freedom to create a sanctuary anywhere" to your space, aligning with wabi sabi interiors and Japandi interior design. It's perfect for a Japandi style living room or Japandi style bedroom.

To long preserve the beauty of the Yame hand-ladled Washi and hard maple wood of the "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series, and to enjoy its lovable light for many years, careful maintenance is important.

The Washi shade is very delicate. Routine care primarily involves gently removing dust from the shade's surface. Use a soft brush or feather duster, or an anti-static microfiber cloth, to carefully brush away dust, stroking the surface of the shade without applying force. Avoid rubbing or pulling strongly, as this can damage or tear the Washi. Washi is very vulnerable to water, so absolutely avoid wiping it with a wet cloth or applying any moisture.

For the wooden base (hard maple wood), lightly wipe it with a dry soft cloth. Do not use chemical detergents or cleaners containing abrasives, as they can damage the wood or its finish. Also, similar to Washi, avoid using or storing it in humid places or places where direct sunlight shines for long periods, as this can cause material deterioration and discoloration. This aligns with wabi sabi decor.

This series is battery-powered, using two AAA batteries, so particular caution is needed regarding water exposure. Absolutely avoid washing the product itself with water or immersing it in water. Be especially careful not to allow water to enter the battery compartment. When batteries are depleted, replace them with new ones, and if storing for a long period, it is recommended to remove the batteries to prevent leakage.By performing appropriate care and handling it carefully, you can enjoy the lovable light and design emitted by this Yame Lantern mini table lamp series in its unchanging beauty for many years. It is a testament to wabi sabi style.

The "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series is designed to be extremely easy to use in various environments around the world so that people everywhere can enjoy its light, while preserving the exceptional quality and loveliness of a traditional Japanese craft. This stems from Shiraki Kogei's strong desire to adapt Yame's rich craft culture to modern lifestyles and deliver it to the world. It’s a wonderful example of Japanese decor.

One of the greatest appeals of this series is its high versatility regarding power. It uses two readily available AAA batteries. This means you do not have to worry about the voltage or outlet shape of your country at all.The light source is an integrated LED, so there is no need for troublesome separate bulb purchases or replacements. Energy-efficient and long-lasting, LEDs are also environmentally friendly and require minimal maintenance. Operation is via a switch located at the bottom of the shade, allowing for on/off switching (there is no dimming function). The light color temperature is a very warm, comforting hue, which enhances relaxation. The product is designed exclusively for indoor use.

The product is carefully handcrafted, packaged in a completed state, and requires no assembly. You can illuminate your space with this lovable light immediately upon unboxing. Its palm-sized compactness and lightness also contribute significantly to its ease of portability and placement in various locations, making it a truly unique table lamp.

The "Japanese Paper Table Lamp Mini" series is a uniquely appealing mini table lamp series, a wonderful fusion of the rich traditional technique of Yame Lanterns boasting a history of approximately 200 years, Shiraki Kogei's "TORCHIN" brand re-envisioned to suit modern lifestyles, and 10 lovable designs that make you instinctively want to pick them up. The warm light emitted from the Yame hand-ladled Washi shades, meticulously handcrafted by Shiraki Kogei artisans, brings peace to the space, while each unique design soothes the viewer's heart and adds a playful atmosphere. You can easily carry it anywhere in your home—the living room, bedroom, entrance, children's room, study, or even a small shelf or niche space—to create your own "sanctuary of light." We encourage you to welcome this "light art" into your life.