Akari Light Sculptures - a Natural De-Light for Our Environment and Home

Eco-Lighting Creations with Warmth

It's more than half a century since Isamu Noguchi, the famous Japanese designer, came up with the Akari line of light sculptures made from that special washi paper (- often having mulberry as its main ingredient). Their ephemeral range traditionally includes ceiling lighting, floor and table lamps as well as lanterns. In the 1950s, they were a brand that introduced a new meaning to the term, contemporary. They have maintained that contemporary or natural and slightly minimalistic, Zen-like design that Japanese artists are renowned for, right into the 21st century. With an international mailing system, they have been supplying these handmade lights with their elegant shaped lamp shades to many a famous niche around the world. Constructed using a bamboo frame with the actual paper shade material from ecologically sound washi paper, the lamps produce a remarkably soothing sun-like source of light energy.

Washi Paper - A Natural Ultraviolet Light Filter

It is claimed that the washi paper actually filters out the more harmful ultraviolet rays making it gentler and more restful on the eyes. It is a warming light, though I'm starting to be reticent in using that terminology with regards to ecologically sustainable products! Of course I mean warming to be comforting, giving it that ‘at home’ feeling, and not at all to mean environmentally warming! The paper tends to yellow with age, or should I be saying, mellow with maturity, producing an even softer and more cherished light.

Eco-saving Lightweight flatpack Distribution

When your flat pack parcel arrives, you have to don your IKEA hat and assemble it from their easy to follow instruction leaflet - very easy to follow and... there you have it any delightful combination of simplicity, sophistication and sound ecological sense. Akari has a double meaning in Japanese that incorporates their products: it means illuminating as in luminous (sunlight - as opposed to Zen meditation) as well as light in not being heavy. I would also give it a thumbs up for both for having an environmentally light carbon footprint as well as having an elegantly light or un-dominating presence. Noguchi himself describes them in terms of images such as floating into awareness.

A high quality eco-lighting product

Remember again that these Japanese creations are handmade with utmost integrity - not just your Chinese paper lantern! Confusion might arise with regard to the use of the word Shoji paper as an alternative to washi paper (which just means Japanese paper). Shoji paper is often described in dictionaries as the rice paper commonly used in the cheap paper lanterns. Whether you want to describe the Akari lampshade material as Shoji or washi, the point to remember is that it is not rice paper. The materials used in its construction can vary but generally speaking it mostly includes either mulberry or gampi - one of Rembrandt's preferred materials. Alternatively Japanese papers are also known to be produced from bamboo, hemp and even rayon, some of which have more environmentally degrading qualities. Akari products are rated highly as environmentally friendly and have their own trademark insignia with each product.

Related articles: Akari Nurturing a Greener Future with LED Lighting

Recommended viewing - a demonstration on the hand making of an Akari Light Sculpure