Akari 1AS by Isamu Noguchi

This variation is distinctive for its dark, ink‑stripe design on the washi shade — not just plain white like many other Akari models. The black (or grey) stripes are created through screen‑printing (or partial hand-painting), giving the lamp a bold graphic presence. Combined with its organic, rounded form, delicate bamboo ribbing, and minimalist metal base, the 1AS balances expressive design with subtle elegance. When lit, the shade filters light into a warm, diffused glow, making the lamp both a sculptural object and a functional light source.

L:26cm

H: 39cm

*As a Japanese model, using this standing lamp requires a step-down voltage converter or a local lightbulb.

About the Artist

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was a Japanese-American artist and designer celebrated for his sculpture, architecture, and lighting designs. Born in Los Angeles and raised between Japan and the United States, Noguchi studied under modernist influences while maintaining a deep appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship.

He began designing his iconic Akari light sculptures in the early 1950s, combining traditional washi paper and bamboo with modernist forms to create functional art that blurs the line between sculpture and lighting. Noguchi’s work is renowned for its minimal elegance, organic forms, and the poetic interplay of light and shadow, making his pieces timeless icons of 20th-century design.