Japanese rice paper lamps – washi table lamps from Japan
Japanese rice paper lamps give a light that never glares. The paper works as a diffuser, spreading the light evenly so the room turns warm rather than sharp. Every lamp here is a table lamp – made in Japan from Mino washi on frames of bamboo, steel or Japanese cypress, folded and assembled by hand at the Asano family workshop in Gifu, for which we are the sole retailer in Denmark.
Rice paper or washi?
“Rice paper” is the name most people know these lamps by, but the paper is rarely made from rice. Japanese washi is made from the long bast fibres of kōzo (paper mulberry), mitsumata and gampi. The fibres tangle together rather than being cut, which is why washi is far stronger than ordinary paper – and why the light passing through it turns soft and faintly golden instead of flat and white. The paper in our lamps is Mino washi from Gifu, where the technique has been in use for more than 1,300 years.
Paper Moon – Shigeru Uchida
Shigeru Uchida (1943–2016) was one of Japan’s most influential designers, and the Paper Moon series is his best-known work in lighting. Five shapes, one calm expression: PM01 (W 18 × H 21 cm) and PM02 (W 20 × H 21 cm) are the round classics; PM03 is tall and slim (W 12.5 × H 40 cm); PM04 is low and wide (W 35 × H 14 cm); PM05 is the large sphere (W 30 × H 30 cm). All have an E14 socket, a white cord with switch measuring 190.5 cm, and take up to 25 W LED.
Andon Triangle – Daisaku Chou
Andon is the traditional Japanese floor lantern, and Daisaku Chou has translated it into a triangular silhouette in washi on a Japanese cypress frame. It comes in two sizes (W 20 × D 20 × H 30 cm and W 29 × D 29 × H 30 cm) and runs on LED battery light with two AA batteries. No cord – so it can sit on the dining table, on a windowsill, or come outside onto the terrace.
Nature Paper Lamp Bud
Uchida’s small bud-shaped lamp (W 16 × H 20 cm) is also cordless and powered by LED battery light. It is the most affordable way into Japanese paper lighting and works well as a bedside light or as a single warm source on a shelf.
How to choose the right washi table lamp
Start with the space: a low, wide lamp such as PM04 sits neatly on a chest of drawers or console without blocking the view, while the tall, slim PM03 takes up little width and gives height in a corner. The round PM01 and PM02 are the most versatile and suit a bedside table. If there is no socket where the lamp needs to stand, the battery-powered Andon Triangle and Nature Paper Lamp Bud are the obvious choice.
Bulbs, safety and care
Always use LED. An LED bulb of no more than 25 W gives off almost no heat, which makes it both safe and gentle on the paper – incandescent bulbs should be avoided entirely. Dust the lamp with a dry, soft brush; a damp cloth weakens the paper. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, as washi yellows, and avoid damp rooms such as the bathroom. Cared for properly a washi lamp lasts for many years, and if the paper does tear, this is exactly the kind of lamp worth repairing.
Frequently asked questions
Are the lamps really made of rice paper?
No. They are made of Japanese washi from the bast fibres of kōzo, mitsumata and gampi. “Rice paper” is an established common name, not a description of the material.
Which bulb do I need?
The Paper Moon lamps have an E14 socket and take up to 25 W LED. The bulb is not included. Andon Triangle and Nature Paper Lamp Bud have built-in LED battery light and use two AA batteries, which are also not included.
Can a rice paper lamp be the only light in a room?
Rarely. Washi table lamps are mood lighting – they give a soft, contained glow and work best alongside other light sources.
Are they fragile?
Paper is naturally more vulnerable than glass or metal, but washi is tough and handles everyday use. Lift the lamp by its frame rather than by the paper when moving it.
Where are the lamps made?
Every lamp in the selection is made in Japan at Asano in Gifu, where they are folded and assembled by hand. We are the sole retailer in Denmark.
Can I see them in person?
Yes. You are welcome in our showroom in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, where the lamps are lit so you can see the colour of the light for yourself.
See also our full range of designer lamps and the rest of our Japanese design.