Japanese Paper Lamps: Akari & 7 Authentic Alternatives

A Japanese paper lamp, such as the Akari lamp, is indispensable for creating a sophisticated living space. While Isamu Noguchi’s masterpiece, the Akari, is coveted by many, the reality is that recent price hikes and stock shortages have made them difficult to obtain. However, your options are not limited to cheap imitations. In this article, we unravel the true value of Akari while introducing seven exceptional masterpieces that inherit the same traditions and techniques of "Gifu" and boast an equal level of beauty.

The Akari lamp is celebrated as a "light sculpture" created by the 20th-century representative artist, Isamu Noguchi. Using traditional Japanese materials like Washi paper and bamboo, yet sublimated into modern sculptural works, its design continues to fascinate interior designers and collectors around the world.

Today, these works—loved globally as "noguchi lanterns"—are one of the most beautiful ways to incorporate art into a living space. More than just a tool to illuminate a room, the qualitative change in the space brought about by their soft light is the reason why the Akari has been loved for so many years and treated as a work of art.

Isamu Noguchi, born to a Japanese father and an American mother, was a sculptor who bridged the aesthetics of the East and West. The origin of his philosophy on light lies in his experience during World War II, when he voluntarily entered an internment camp in Arizona. The intense sunlight he bathed in there gave him the inspiration to "unite sculpture and light."

Noguchi thought to "return the harsh light of civilization—electricity—back to the natural light of the sun by passing it through Washi paper." The noguchi lamp he created transforms sharp, artificial light by dispersing it through the fibers of the Washi, changing it into a soft, warm glow akin to sunlight filtering through shoji screens.

He did not call his works "lanterns," but named them "Akari." This word implies not only the function of illumination but also weightlessness and texture. For him, the Akari lamp was a "sculpture without shadows," a device allowing one to enjoy light itself as sculpture within a living space.

The birth of the Akari lamp dates back to 1951. While visiting Japan to design the peace bridges in Hiroshima, Noguchi visited Gifu to view cormorant fishing, where the mayor asked him to help revitalize the local lantern industry. It was there that he encountered the craftsmanship and materials of the lantern factory.

Impressed by the flexible structure and high level of craftsmanship of Gifu lanterns, it is said that Noguchi sketched the original designs for Akari the very next day. While employing traditional bamboo ribbing and Washi techniques, he incorporated the modern function of being collapsible for transport, and joyfully sent the prototype to his close friend, Buckminster Fuller.

Since then, Noguchi continued to visit Gifu for 35 years, creating over 200 designs in collaboration with the artisans. The Akari is a product that was realized not only through the flash of genius of one man but because of the advanced traditional craft techniques rooted in the land of Gifu.

Born from the encounter between Isamu Noguchi and Gifu lanterns, the Akari sparked worldwide popularity with its simple and unique design. Currently, the market is flooded with inexpensive products mimicking the Akari design. However, even if they look similar, there is a reason why you should choose an authentic Japanese paper lamp.

The value lies not in the superficial design, but in the "authentic materials" residing inside the product and the "artisanal handiwork" that shapes them. Cheap imitations are merely industrial products, but Akari and high-quality lamps made in Gifu are "crafts" that deepen in affection over time. Let us look in detail at the elements that support this quality.

The soul of a Japanese paper lamp is the "Mino Washi" used for the shade. High-quality lamps made in Gifu use authentic Washi made from natural fibers such as Kozo (mulberry) and mulberry bark. The history of Mino Washi is ancient, with census paper from 702 AD still existing today, proving its durability is guaranteed. If treated properly, it can be used across generations from parent to child.

The greatest appeal of Washi is the "quality of light." Because the long, intertwined natural fibers reflect and diffuse light in complex ways, they convert the light of a lightbulb into a soft, natural glow like a sunbeam. Its beauty, which was also adopted for the award certificates of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is not a stark white but a warm ecru, bringing quiet serenity to interiors featuring wooden furniture and plants.

Furthermore, the "framework" that supports the Washi also houses Japanese aesthetics. Whether it is traditional bamboo ribbing or a modern structure, delicate designs are implemented to keep the lamp lightweight and strong without blocking the light. Bamboo, in particular, is light and pliable yet possesses the strength to withstand seasonal changes, and has been treasured as a framework material since ancient times. This harmony of light and structure is the proof of authenticity that cheap plastic products do not possess.

Another decisive difference is whether human hands are involved. Gifu lamps, including the Akari, are made by people who have inherited advanced artisan skills, including hand-made Washi techniques registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The process is surprisingly meticulous. Winding bamboo ribs or wire around a wooden form, carefully pasting Washi paper one by one, drying it, and then removing the wooden form. All of this is done by hand. The technique of evenly pasting the "thin yet strong" paper, a characteristic of Mino Washi, requires years of training.

Mass-produced items made by machines are uniform and inorganic, but a handmade Japanese paper lamp possesses a very slight "fluctuation" (yuragi). This minute individual difference gives the product warmth, making it a lamp that is unique to the world. The warmth born from the hands of artisans has the power to change the atmosphere of the entire space the moment the light is turned on.

Isamu Noguchi's Akari is a masterpiece, but what we are seeking should not just be a brand name. Is it not the soft light passed through Washi and the warmth created by artisanal handiwork that we are truly attracted to? The seven lamps introduced here are not Akari imitations. They are all "legitimate successors" made in the same Gifu workshops, using the same Mino Washi with 1,300 years of history and traditional techniques.

Choosing one of these is a perfect opportunity to find a unique, new "light sculpture" that better fits your lifestyle and interior. From organic forms to minimal upright styles, we introduce seven authentic Japanese paper lamps that share the same DNA as Akari but possess their own unique personalities as akari lamp alternatives.

If Akari is a "light sculpture," then Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "PAPER STONE" is an art piece of "glowing stone." As the name suggests, it was created with inspiration from the organic forms held by stones in the natural world. In contrast to the geometric design of Akari, its irregular, rounded shape changes its expression depending on the viewing angle, emitting a presence like a garden stone in a quiet Japanese garden.

Its greatest feature is the special Mino Washi used for the material, called "Asarakusuishi." This Washi, into which hemp fibers are woven, allows light to leak through the gaps in the fibers when lit, showing a brilliance like crystal or ice. Its height of 56cm makes it perfect for placing directly on the living room floor as a space accent. This acts as a unique noguchi floor lamp alternative for those wishing to incorporate "Zen" elements into a modern space.

If you are looking for a compact and adorable lamp like the Akari "1A" or "3X," the Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "BEANS LIGHT" is an ideal option. Its plump shape, with a bean motif, is full of humor and warmth that soothes the viewer. The exquisite size of 26cm in width and 56cm in height makes it suitable not only for placing on the floor but also on sideboards and shelves.

This lamp uses "Kozo-kuzu (mulberry bark residue) Washi." By intentionally leaving the rough fibers of the mulberry bark, a rustic and powerful texture is born, drawing deep shadows when lit. While Akari pursues sophisticated modernity, BEANS LIGHT evokes the spirit of "Mingei" (folk art), which is more earthy and warm. It brings gentle peace to a bedside or a corner of the living room.

For those attracted to tall stand lights like the Akari "10A" or "UF series," the Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "SLENDER" is recommended. The design of this slim cylinder with a height of 124cm is an appearance that can be called the pinnacle of Japanese minimalism. Because it does not take up space, it adds height and depth to the space without feeling oppressive, even in limited spaces like next to a sofa or in the corner of a room.

The beauty of this lamp lies in its upright posture and the lines of the framework visible through the Washi. The Washi, blended with Kozo pulp, diffuses light evenly, spreading soft light throughout the room from a tall light source. As a noguchi floor lamp style piece, it combines functionality with beauty as an object, serving as a "pillar of light" that elevates stylish spaces such as modern apartments and offices.

The greatest feature of the Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "GEMINI 02," which was discovered by a New York designer, is the use of a special Mino Washi that Gifu artisans call "Harusame" (Spring Rain). Through a technique where delicate watermark patterns like water droplets float within the paper, a fantastic texture is created when lit, as if grains of light are scattered about.

With a commanding size of 60cm in height and 40cm in diameter, it releases sufficient impact as a Japanese floor lamp placed on the living room floor. It is perfect for those who love the sculptural elements of the Akari lamp but find plain Washi unsatisfied and seek an artistic expression richer in texture.

Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "ME-LOOK 01 Black" is a modern Japanese paper lamp where tradition and innovation fuse. Its characteristic lies in the unique material called "Melook Washi," created by entwining Kozo fibers around mesh-like threads. This technique not only increases the strength of the Washi but also brings out delicate lace-like shadows when light passes through, showing a modern expression different from Akari.

The slim, columnar design with a height of 91cm is suitable as a floor lamp to place in the corner of a living room or bedroom. As the name "Black" implies, its sharp appearance incorporating modern elements adds a sophisticated accent not only to Japanese-style rooms but also to industrial spaces and minimal modern architecture. This is a piece dedicated to those who prioritize the balance between silence and modern design.

The Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "Paper Moon 02," designed by Shigeru Uchida, a representative interior designer of Japan, charms with a silhouette of curves that have been calculated to perfection. Based on 300-year-old Gifu lantern techniques and using high-quality handmade Mino Washi, it emits a fleeting, gentle light like moonlight. That light creates a comfortable peace that resonates with the "light of the sun" that Akari aimed for.

Its compact shape of 20cm in width and 21cm in height is perfect for placing on a bedside table or cabinet. For those looking for akari lamp alternatives for smaller models while seeking a unique form that makes one feel the designer's unique "wabi-sabi" not found in off-the-shelf products, this will provide quiet emotion.

Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "paper moon 05" also designed by Shigeru Uchida, is a perfectly spherical lamp that looks as if a full moon floating in the night sky has been brought into the room. This lamp, with a diameter of 30cm, can be said to be one of the most beautiful and legitimate choices for those looking for the Akari lamp Round (Globe) series.

The minimal design, composed only of bamboo ribbing and Mino Washi, diffuses beautiful light from 360 degrees no matter where it is viewed. If placed on the floor as if rolling, the spirit of Japanese "Zen" resides there. Simple yet packed with artisanal handiwork and a designer's philosophy, this lamp fills the room with poetic silence.

Both the Akari and the seven masterpieces introduced here are "lights with stories" created by the hands of Gifu artisans. They possess a warmth not found in mass-produced items and an authentic beauty that does not fade over time. Without being bound by a brand name, please find the one authentic Japanese paper lamp that resonates with your sensibilities. That light will surely enrich your life and illuminate it for a long time to come.