Imagine walking into a room bathed in the warm, inviting glow of a sunset captured in a lamp. That’s the magic of the Akari paper lamps—where minimalist design meets timeless elegance. When it comes to Akari paper lamps, the choice of materials significantly impacts their design and functionality. Each type of paper, from the delicate and translucent qualities of rice paper to the textured and durable nature of washi paper, contributes a distinct touch to the lampshade.
How are Akari light sculptures made?
The creation of Akari lighting sculptures requires skilled artisans with a keen attention to detail and a delicate, careful touch. The process begins with rods being stretched across a wooden mold to form a ribbed shape. Next, paper is cut into strips and carefully adhered to the ribbing. Once the glue has dried, the wooden mold is removed, revealing a beautifully crafted lamp that epitomizes the harmonious blend of traditional materials and modern design.
Materials used in the Hüga Collective Akari lamps:
Rice Paper: This is the most commonly used paper. Its delicate, translucent quality gives it an elegant touch while remaining budget-friendly. Examples of lamps made from rice paper include the Harmony Glow Akari Paper Lamp.
Cotton Paper: This material exhibits greater structural integrity than rice paper. It is white and has a soft and smoother finish. While it may appear less opaque due to its fiber content, it is more durable and resistant to tearing than rice paper. Check out the Zephyr Floor Lamp if you are looking for a high-quality and cost-effective lamp.
Colored Cotton Paper (Yellow tone): Our colored cotton papers are infused with yellow tones to create a warm vibe. The warm yellow tone casts a cozy, inviting glow, and the semi-translucent paper creates a mellow, wabi-sabi effect. An example of a lamp made with this paper is the Hitomi Akari Floor Lamp.
Washi Paper: Washi paper is crafted using fibers from the inner bark of the gampi or kozo plant and is both thicker and more structured compared to other types of paper. Its natural warm undertones contribute a cozy, inviting feel to your home. Handmade in Japan using traditional techniques, washi paper is crafted by beating fibers into a pulp, adding them to water, and forming sheets on a mesh screen. Following this, the sheets of paper are laid on a flat surface to dry. Washi is the most expensive type of paper due to the labor-intensive process involved in its creation. We source our washi paper directly from Japan. Examples of lamps made from washi paper include the Akari Paper Ceiling Lamp 21A and the 50EN Akari Lamp.
Types of lampshade wire support:
Self-support: Some Akari lamps feature a metal lampshade holder instead of bamboo ribbing, offering a sleek, lightweight look. An example would be the Serenity Glow Floor Lamp.
Faux Bamboo: This option offers a budget-friendly alternative to natural bamboo, featuring lamps with wire rods wrapped with yellow-tone paper to mimic the cozy tone of bamboo rods. The wire is typically around 0.7 mm thick. An example of this would be the Akari Ceiling Lamp 33N.
Natural Bamboo: Bamboo rods are naturally elastic, making them the best support option for paper lamps. The process of crafting lamps with wired bamboo frames is detailed and complex, especially for larger diameters. Compared to the faux bamboo option, the natural bamboo rods are typically around 2 mm thick, providing better structural support for paper lampshades. All of our washi paper lamps are wired with natural bamboo.