Featured Japandi Living Room Lamp: Curated Paper Lamp

The Charm of "BEANS LIGHT":

• Material and its Essence: At the heart of "BEANS LIGHT" lies Mino Washi paper, a renowned material with over 1300 years of history in Gifu Prefecture. Mino Washi is known for its trifecta of being incredibly thin, surprisingly strong, and possessing an inherent delicate beauty. The washi used in this paper lamp is painstakingly handmade, showcasing its unique texture and emitting a warm, calming light. The frame often incorporates bamboo elements, a hallmark of Gifu lanterns (Gifu-chōchin), providing a delicate yet sturdy structure.
  
  

• Design and Aesthetic Appeal: The "BEANS LIGHT" lamp features a distinctive, soft, rounded bean-like silhouette that exudes organic elegance. Its design is a testament to functional art, where form and utility merge into a stunning piece. Measuring 26cm (approx. 10.2 inches) in width and 56cm (approx. 22 inches) in height, it stands like a graceful beacon, its minimalist yet expressive form perfectly aligning with Japandi principles of understated beauty.
  
  

• What's Included: The lamp comes with your choice of either a US specification (E26 base) or EU specification (E27 base) plug. The bulb is not included, allowing you to choose one that emits your preferred warmth and brightness. For harmony with Japandi interiors, selecting a warm-toned bulb is recommended.
  
  

• Ideal Atmosphere and Setting: "BEANS LIGHT" is perfect for creating a serene ambiance in the Japandi living room, serving as a focal point or a complementary piece that enhances the room's tranquility. It is equally at home in a bedroom, casting a gentle light conducive to relaxation and rest.
  
  

• Tactile Experience and Usability: While its visual appeal is immediate, the experience of the "BEANS LIGHT" is also about the quality of light it diffuses. The Mino Washi shade softens the light, reducing glare and creating a cozy atmosphere. Each paper lamp is a meticulously handcrafted product, a unique piece that speaks of quality and care.
  
  

• A Legacy of Light: Traditional Techniques and Origins: 
  The "BEANS LIGHT" paper lamp is deeply rooted in the traditional crafts of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is crafted using the techniques of Gifu lanterns, a traditional craft with over 300 years of history, designated a National Traditional Craft in 1995. These lanterns are renowned for their delicate craftsmanship utilizing the aforementioned Mino Washi paper and fine bamboo strips.
  Mino Washi's enduring appeal is brought to life by skilled artisans through expert paper-making techniques. This same region and its Gifu lantern techniques are globally recognized for producing the iconic AKARI paper lamp series by the renowned artist Isamu Noguchi, a testament to the timeless appeal and versatility of these traditional methods.
  
  This particular paper lamp is brought to you by Hayashi Kogei, a Gifu-based company with a 75-year history of designing and manufacturing innovative lighting fixtures from Mino Washi. Hayashi Kogei's artisans harness the historical thinness and strength of washi paper, employing delicate processing techniques. Comprehensive in-house production, spanning five meticulous stages from paper-making to final assembly, ensures consistent quality and a product that beautifully radiates the gentle glow of Japanese tradition.

The Distinctive Allure of "PAPER STONE":

• Material and its Unique Properties: Crafted in Gifu Prefecture, "PAPER STONE" utilizes the revered 1300-year-old Mino Washi technique but with a special distinction. The lampshade features 'Asamakusushi washi', a unique washi paper blended with hemp fibers and adorned with delicate water-drop patterns (rakusui mon'yō). Embodying a 1200-year-old craft tradition of creating paper "as hard and strong as stone," this specialized washi is exceptionally durable. It emits a distinct yet soft, crystal-like luminescence.
  
  

• Design and Aesthetic Impact: The design of "PAPER STONE" is bold and evocative, reminiscent of a frozen stone or a naturally sculpted ice formation. This unique aesthetic makes it a true work of light art. Standing at a height of 56cm (approx. 22 inches), with a width and depth of 30cm (approx. 11.8 inches), it has a substantial yet graceful presence, merging functionality with profound artistry.
  
  

• What's Included: This paper lamp comes with your choice of either a US specification (E26 base) or EU specification (E27 base) plug. The bulb is not included, offering you flexibility in selecting your preferred illumination. For harmony with Japandi interiors, choosing a warm-toned bulb is advised.
  
  

• Ideal Setting and Ambiance: "PAPER STONE" makes a striking statement as a floor paper lamp in a Japandi living room or as indirect lighting in a bedroom. Its unique glow adds a touch of sophistication and serenity, suitable for spaces aiming for a calm yet distinctive character.
  
  

• Sensory Experience and Quality: The Asamakusushi washi shade offers a different texture and light quality than standard washi. The hemp fibers and water patterns create a nuanced light diffusion, casting a gentle, almost ethereal glow. Each paper lamp is a testament to Japanese craftsmanship, showcasing the strength and beauty of traditionally made washi.
  
  

• The Tradition Behind the Glow: Traditional Techniques and Origins: Like our other offerings, the "PAPER STONE" paper lamp is born from the same Gifu lantern tradition of Gifu Prefecture – the same artisanal roots that inspired Isamu Noguchi's AKARI series. The use of Mino Washi, particularly the specialized Asamakusushi washi, highlights the continuous innovation within this ancient craft. This paper lamp embodies the spirit of Japanese monozukuri (craftsmanship/the art of making things), where dedication to quality and time-honored methods yield objects of enduring beauty and utility. "PAPER STONE" is a contemporary heirloom, linking modern living with Japan's rich artistic lineage.

The Modern Elegance of the "Chōchin Lamp":

• Material and Craftsmanship: Crafted by Asano Shōten, a long-established lantern maker, using the finest Mino Washi paper, this paper lamp combines a soft, rounded lampshade with a slim, elegant frame. The quality of the washi ensures a diffused, gentle light true to the Gifu lantern tradition.
  
  

• Design and Aesthetic Appeal: The "Chōchin Lamp" stands 50cm (approx. 19.7 inches) tall and 30cm (approx. 11.8 inches) wide. Its design is a harmonious blend of traditional lantern forms and contemporary minimalism. The result is a lightweight and elegant piece that exudes a calm, composed atmosphere, fitting seamlessly into the Japandi aesthetic.
  
  

• What's Included: The Chōchin Lamp series is a battery-operated paper lamp product. Compared to corded products, it offers ease of handling and the convenience of use in countries outside Japan without concern for voltage or plug type differences. Even when unlit, its minimalist and soft form makes a statement as a Japandi interior piece.
  
  

• Ideal Environment: This paper lamp is ideal for Japandi living rooms and bedrooms, serving as indirect lighting that instills a Japanese essence and tranquility. Its gentle illumination promotes relaxation and a comfortable atmosphere.
  
  

• Ease of Use and Unique Features: One of the "Chōchin Lamp's" key features is its lightweight nature and ease of assembly, retaining the portability and practicality inherent in traditional lanterns. This versatility makes it a timeless addition to any space, adaptable to various settings and needs.
  
  

• A Century of Tradition: Asano Shōten and Gifu Lanterns: The "Chōchin Lamp" is crafted by Asano Shōten, a lantern manufacturer established in 1917 in Gifu Prefecture, with over a century of history. Asano Shōten carries on the revered tradition of Gifu lanterns, which dates back to the Edo period. The company upholds age-old techniques, sourcing most materials locally to ensure the exceptional quality of their lanterns. Asano Shōten skillfully combines the timeless appeal of Mino Washi with contemporary design, developing modern washi paper lamps that adapt and preserve the rich heritage of Gifu lanterns for today. Pieces like the "Chōchin Lamp" are not just lighting fixtures but carriers of cultural heritage, embodying a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

• Japanese Paper Table Lamp "BEANS LIGHT" Small: Echoing the soft, organic curves of its larger counterpart, this table paper lamp version measures 18cm (approx. 7 inches) wide and 38cm (approx. 14.9 inches) high. It's perfect for side tables, consoles, or bedside use, bringing the same calming Mino Washi glow to more compact spaces within your Japandi living room or other areas. It uses a smaller bulb socket (E12 in the US, E14 in the EU).
  
  

• Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "PAPER STONE" Small: This paper lamp offers the unique ice-stone inspired design and Asamakusushi washi of the larger "PAPER STONE" in a more petite floor lamp form, standing 35cm (approx. 13.7 inches) high and 18cm (approx. 7 inches) wide. It is ideal for smaller Japandi living areas, entryways, or as an accent lamp, providing the same crystalline glow and sophisticated presence. It uses a smaller bulb socket (E12 in the US, E14 in the EU).

• Assess Your Space and Needs:

  • Room size and ceiling height: Floor paper lamps like the "BEANS LIGHT" or "PAPER STONE" (standard sizes) make a statement in spacious Japandi living rooms with higher ceilings. For smaller rooms or if you prefer a more subtle accent, the "PAPER STONE Small," "Chōchin Lamp," or the "BEANS LIGHT Small" table paper lamp might be more suitable.
    
    

  • Purpose of the light: Are you looking for primary indirect lighting, softer accent light, or a reading lamp? Floor paper lamps generally provide broader indirect illumination, while table lamps can offer more focused task or accent lighting. The diffused light from washi is excellent for creating a warm overall glow, but consider pairing it with more direct sources if bright task lighting is essential.

• Align with Japandi Aesthetics:

  • Design preferences: Consider the shapes and silhouettes that appeal to you. Do you prefer the soft, organic curves of the "BEANS LIGHT," the bold, nature-inspired form of the "PAPER STONE," or the modern-traditional elegance of the "Chōchin Lamp"? Each brings a different nuance to your Japandi decor.
    
    

  • Materiality and texture: While all these paper lamps feature Mino Washi, the "PAPER STONE" series uses Asamakusushi washi with hemp fibers and water-drop patterns, offering a slightly different texture and light diffusion. Consider how these subtle differences will interact with other natural materials in your Japandi living room (wood, linen, stone).
    
    

  • Minimalism and simplicity: Japandi design values clean lines and uncluttered spaces. Washi paper lamps, with their minimalist forms and natural materials, inherently align with this. Choose a design that complements, rather than competes with, your existing furniture and decor.

• Consider Light Quality:

  • Warmth and ambiance: Washi paper excels at diffusing light, creating a soft, warm, and inviting glow reminiscent of natural daylight. This is essential for the calming atmosphere of a Japandi living room. Think about the color temperature of the bulb you'll use; warmer tones (2700K) are generally preferred for Japandi spaces.
    
    

  • Layering light: Layering light is key in Japandi design. A washi floor paper lamp can provide excellent ambient lighting, while a coordinating table paper lamp can add another layer of warmth or highlight a specific area.

• Embrace Authenticity and Craftsmanship:

  • Handcrafted tradition: Choosing a paper lamp from Millennium Gallery Japan means investing in a piece handcrafted by skilled artisans using time-honored techniques like Mino Washi paper-making and Gifu lantern construction. This connection to tradition and craftsmanship is a core tenet of the Japandi philosophy, which values items made with care and designed to last.
    
    

  • Natural materials: The use of washi (made from plant fibers like kozo, mitsumata, or gampi) and often bamboo aligns with the Japandi emphasis on natural, sustainable materials that bring the outdoors in, perfect for any Japandi living room.

• Practical Considerations:

  • Plug type and bulb socket: Ensure your chosen paper lamp has the correct plug type for your region (US or EU) and note the bulb socket size (E26/E27 for larger lamps, E12/E14 for smaller ones) so you can purchase a compatible bulb.
    
    

  • Placement: Think about where the paper lamp will sit and how its light will interact with the room throughout the day and at night. Consider sightlines and how the lamp will look both when lit and unlit.