"Everything is sculpture."
—Isamu Noguchi

Akari is a series of light sculptures by Isamu Noguchi.

In Japanese, Akari (あかり) means "light." This light comes from modern electricity, yet when diffused through traditional Japanese washi paper, it emanates a sense of tranquility.

Standing before Noguchi’s sculptures evokes the same calmness—whether it's his massive stone sculptures or the way light flows across obsidian, both solid and soft at the same time.

Long before electricity, washi paper was already used as a medium for light. Sunlight filtering through traditional Japanese paper windows always creates a sense of harmony, subtly infusing the entire space with its warmth.

To me, Akari is a gentle companion.

Each piece in this series is handcrafted from Japanese washi paper. In an era dominated by mass production, the imperfections of handmade craftsmanship feel all the more intimate. The fibers of washi paper allow light to pass through in a way that feels soft, almost as if it breathes—gently tinting the space with a warm glow that plastic lamps could never replicate.