The Akari 24N is handcrafted from washi paper and a bamboo frame. Upon closer inspection, you can see that the paper is first cut into strips and then carefully adhered to the bamboo frame one by one. During the production process, a wooden structure is set up inside the lamp, which is later removed once the paper has dried, leaving behind a delicate paper lantern. Isamu Noguchi designed these lightweight lamps, whose airy and elegant form balances the cool tone of incandescent bulbs.

Since discovering Isamu Noguchi’s work, this is the third Akari lamp I have personally handled and assembled. The 24N is slightly larger in scale than the previous 1A and 1N models I’ve encountered. The first thing that amazed me was how such a large lamp could fit into a flat box. Unfolding the paper lamp, I could feel the sturdiness of the bamboo structure—behind its delicate and sensitive appearance lies a remarkable strength in its construction.

Placed in a space, I love its rounded shape, flat handle, and slender legs. Quietly sitting in the corner, it becomes a gentle companion.