The Story of Japanese Paper Table Lamp “TORCHIN"

Stepping away from the hurried pace of daily life and spending quiet time that satisfies the soul. Turning our homes into a "sanctuary" for ourselves is becoming increasingly important for those of us living in modern society. In this precious space, light does not merely illuminate; it profoundly affects our state of mind, possessing the power to create peace and vitality.

Among various lighting options, table lamps, in particular, illuminate the spaces closest to us, bringing change to our personal areas, such as bedside table lamps. And in recent years, "touch lamps" are gaining attention for their convenience. Their intuitive operation, activated simply by touch, and their refined design offer moments of tranquility alongside the light for those of us navigating busy days.

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp "TORCHIN" series we introduce this time is precisely lighting for modern living, a masterful fusion of Japan's rich traditional craft, the "Yame Lantern" technique passed down in Fukuoka Prefecture, and innovative features (cordless/portable, touch dimming) that complement contemporary lifestyles. The soft light and traditional skill contained within its compact body bring the comfort of a "sanctuary" to any place you desire. The light of "TORCHIN," imbued with genuine handwork and story, distinct from standardized mass-produced goods, will enrich your daily life, transforming it into something special, fitting seamlessly into a Japandi interior.

At the root of the comforting soft light emitted by the "TORCHIN" series lies the reliable technique and spirit of "Yame Lanterns," a traditional craft passed down in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, for approximately 200 years. Yame Lanterns are known for a unique technique called "Ichijo Rasen-shiki" , which involves winding a single, finely processed bamboo strip in a spiral to create the frame, and for applying beautiful paintings of nature (flowers, birds, wind, moon) to the hand-ladled Washi shades, reminiscent of classic Japanese paper lanterns.

Natural materials nurtured in Yame's abundant nature – local hand-ladled Washi, bamboo, 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 warm, enveloping, gentle light diffused through the Washi, making them ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere with bedroom lamps or as subtle living room lamps. This light has historically healed people's hearts and accompanied their lives. In recent years, its elegant beauty and soft light have gained high appraisal nationwide as interior items, often sought after to enhance a "Japandi style" or incorporate "Japanese decor".

The "TORCHIN" series was born by inheriting the lighting tradition that Yame Lanterns have cultivated over two centuries and fusing it with cutting-edge functionality. While retaining the essence of Yame Lanterns – "soft, light that speaks to the heart" – it is designed to be enjoyed more freely and intimately in line with modern living, fitting perfectly as table lamps for bedroom or bedside table lamps. It is not merely a succession of traditional technique but proof of a living craft, evolved to meet contemporary needs, offering a unique take on the Japanese lantern as a modern paper lamp.

The fusion of tradition and innovation, as seen in the "TORCHIN" series, cannot be born without the passion and challenge of the creators who realize it. This appealing table lamp series is crafted by Shiraki Kogei, a workshop in Yame City that continues to preserve the tradition of Yame Lanterns. Shiraki Kogei specializes in creating the "Hibukuro", 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, contributing significantly to the beauty of Japanese paper lanterns.

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 from inexperienced beginners into full-fledged artisans, they are building the foundation for traditional skills to continue without interruption and even evolve further. In Yame, a major hub for traditional crafts in Kyushu, Shiraki Kogei has launched its own brand, "TORCHIN," which pursues designs that harmonize with modern lifestyles while inheriting established traditional techniques, often aligning with "Japandi interior design" and "wabi sabi interiors".

The "TORCHIN" series was born from Shiraki Kogei's philosophy of "creating new value while respecting tradition." The Washi shades of TORCHIN, meticulously crafted one by one by their hands, embody the refined techniques of Yame Lantern making, showcasing true "wabi sabi arts". By fusing this with modern functionality, they are striving to deliver the charm of traditional crafts to modern lifestyles worldwide. Shiraki Kogei is more than just a lantern workshop; they are storytellers who bear the role of connecting Yame's rich craft culture to the future and to the world. Knowing their passion will make the light of "TORCHIN" resonate more deeply with your heart, especially if you appreciate a Japanese lamp with a story.

One of the greatest appeals of the "TORCHIN" series is its unique and functional form, where approximately 200 years of Yame Lantern tradition, modern technology, and design are wonderfully harmonized, creating truly unique table lamps. The shade uses Washi carefully hand-ladled in Yame, maximizing the natural texture inherent to Washi and its characteristic of softly diffusing light, perfect for creating a gentle glow in Japandi bedrooms. The base part uses warm beech wood, maintaining the gentle feel and texture of natural wood, fitting seamlessly into a "Japandi style living room".

The cordless and portable nature, the greatest feature of the "TORCHIN" series, dramatically expands the scenes in which you use light in your daily life. You can illuminate a space with comforting light wherever and whenever you desire, without being tethered to a power outlet, making it ideal for living room lamps and bedroom lamps.

Place it beside your bed as a reading light before sleep or as waking light, a perfect table lamp for bedroom. Since it can be operated simply by touching the sensor on the top of the shade, there is no fumbling for a switch in the dark, a convenient bedside table lamp. With the 3-level brightness adjustment function, you can easily adjust the light to suit the scene, from a brightness suitable for reading to a soft light for relaxation, enhancing the ambiance of Japandi bedrooms. You can also place it on an end table or console table in the living room to add a warm accent to the space, or use it as gentle indirect lighting beside a sofa in a "Japandi style living room".

Furthermore, the possibilities are infinite: place it on the dining table to enhance the mealtime atmosphere, place it in the entrance to warmly welcome guests, or use it as personal light to boost concentration in a study. Since it is lightweight, you can carry it with you as you move around the house, easily creating a light space tailored to your mood and activity at any given moment, making it a versatile Japanese table lamp. The warm orange light (color temperature 2700K) emitted through the Yame hand-ladled Washi creates a relaxing, calm atmosphere anywhere, and the high color rendering index of Ra90 makes the colors of food and interiors look naturally beautiful, enhancing the aesthetic of wabi sabi interiors and Japandi interior design.

The simple and minimalist design harmonizes naturally with a wide range of interiors, including Japanese rooms, Mid-century Modern interiors, Nordic styles, and the popular Japandi style, which emphasizes natural materials and minimalism. Being cordless and having the flexibility to be used anywhere gives it the power to transform your home into the place you feel most comfortable in at that very moment, aligning with the principles of "wabi sabi style". "TORCHIN" is not just a lighting fixture; it is an item that supports your wellness and mindfulness, offering the freedom to carry a "sanctuary of light" into your daily life, a truly unique table lamp.

To ensure you can enjoy the warm Washi of Yame Lanterns and the gentle texture of beech wood in the "TORCHIN" series for a long time, proper care is essential. This is an act of respect for this traditional craft piece and a practice of cherishing the light that accompanies your daily life, especially if it's a cherished Japanese paper lamp.

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 the dust, stroking the surface of the Washi gently. Avoid rubbing or pulling strongly, as this can damage or tear the Washi. Also, Washi is vulnerable to water, so wiping it with a wet cloth is strictly prohibited.

For the wooden base, lightly wipe it with a dry soft cloth. Do not use chemical detergents or cleaners containing abrasives, as they can damage the beech wood's finish. 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, preserving the beauty of your Japanese lamp.

As the "TORCHIN" series is a rechargeable cordless type, particular care must be taken 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 charging terminal area. By performing proper care and using it carefully, you can enjoy the beautiful light of Yame Lanterns emitted by "TORCHIN" and its modern functionality for a long, rich time. This also connects to a rich way of life that cherishes quality items with affection in an era of mass consumption, appreciating the craftsmanship of your Japanese table lamp or bedside table lamp.

The "TORCHIN" series not only fuses the approximately 200-year history of Yame Lantern traditional technique with modern lifestyles but is also designed for international use so that people worldwide can enjoy its light. This stems from Shiraki Kogei's strong desire to convey Yame's rich craft culture to the world, offering their Japanese paper lanterns to a global audience.

A major strength of this series regarding power is its extremely high versatility. Charging is done via a USB Type-C cable, which is standardly adopted by many modern devices. This allows for easy charging from your existing USB chargers or PCs, without having to worry about the voltage or outlet shape of your country. This is a significant factor in alleviating power-related concerns for those purchasing from overseas, ensuring that these beautiful table lamps can be enjoyed anywhere.

The light source is an integrated LED, so there is no need to replace bulbs. You can adjust the brightness to 3 levels by simply lightly touching the touch sensor on top of the shade. Continuous lighting is possible for approximately 4 hours at the brightest setting and up to 36 hours at the dimmest setting (varies depending on usage environment), making it suitable for lighting the bedside all night or for bright use for a short time, perfect for table lamps for bedroom. 

The color temperature is 2700K, a warm orange light that enhances relaxation, ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere in Japandi bedrooms or Japandi living rooms. Furthermore, the high color rendering index of Ra90 makes the colors of illuminated objects appear natural and beautiful, preserving the color tone of interiors and the appearance of food within your Japandi interior. The product is designed exclusively for indoor use.

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp "TORCHIN" series is a unique and appealing table lamp series, a wonderful fusion of the rich traditional technique of Yame Lanterns boasting a history of approximately 200 years, the innovative spirit of Shiraki Kogei connecting it to the modern age, and the latest features (cordless, touch dimming, portable) that complement our contemporary lifestyles. The warm and soft light emitted from the hand-made Yame hand-ladled Washi shades, meticulously crafted one by one by the artisans, brings deep peace and comfort to the entire space, whether in Japandi bedrooms or Japandi living rooms.

The five distinct and refined forms—SQUARE, BELL, , VERTICAL, OVAL, and CIRCLE—boast beautiful design quality that serves as a spatial accent, beyond being just lighting, enhancing your Japanese decor. And above all, the cordless and lightweight portable functionality brings you the freedom to "carry" light in your life. You can take the light of this Yame Lantern to wherever you most want to relax at that moment, be it the bedside, living room, entrance, or dining table, making it a versatile Japanese table lamp and a convenient bedside table lamp. Touch operation and 3-level dimming allow you to easily create the optimal brightness for any scene, perfect for bedroom lamps or subtle living room lamps.Why not welcome the gentle light of the "TORCHIN" series into your life?