Akari 7a Floor Lamp

Designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1951, the Akari 7A floor lamp is a sculpture that happens to give light — a tiered washi paper shade ribbed with bamboo, balanced on a slim tripod base. Our faithful reproduction stays true to the form Noguchi created with the lantern makers of Gifu, Japan.

At a Glance

• Designer: Isamu Noguchi, from the Akari light-sculpture series he began in 1951
• Form: a tiered washi paper lantern on a slim matte-black tripod
• Size: 25" / 63.5 cm tall with a 16.7" / 42.4 cm shade — a compact accent floor lamp
• Light: included 40W LED with three switchable color temperatures (warm / neutral / cool); standard E26/E27 socket
• Assembly: a few minutes, no tools required
• Materials: handmade washi paper over bamboo ribs, with warm reddish wood collars

About Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was a Japanese-American sculptor and designer whose work bridged East and West across furniture, gardens, stage sets, and public space. In 1951 he travelled to Gifu, a small city on the Nagara River where artisans had been folding washi paper and bamboo into chōchin lanterns for centuries. The mayor invited him to help revive the local craft, and Noguchi responded with a new family of light sculptures he called Akari — a Japanese word meaning both "light" and "lightness."

The original Akari series is still produced by Ozeki & Co. in Gifu using the same hand techniques. Noguchi spoke of Akari less as lamps than as atmosphere — light made tangible, weightless, almost dissolving the boundary between object and air. The 7A is the floor-lamp scale of that idea: a small, tiered lantern lifted to standing height on a tripod.

Materials & Craftsmanship

Our reproduction is built in the Akari tradition, with materials chosen to read the way Noguchi intended:

• Shade: handmade washi paper stretched over thin bamboo ribs in a multi-tiered, faceted lantern shape that glows evenly when lit.
• Collars: turned wood rings in a warm reddish finish at the top and bottom of the shade, accented by a fine wire carrying handle at the crown.
• Base: slim three-legged metal tripod in matte black, sized to keep the lamp visually weightless.
• Wiring: fabric- or PVC-jacketed cord with an inline floor switch and pull-chain at the socket.

Each shade is folded and finished by hand. Subtle variations in the paper grain and rib spacing are part of the character — no two Akari shades are identical.

Specifications

Sizing & Where It Fits

The 7A is the compact, accent-scale Akari. At 25" (63.5 cm) tall with a tiered shade about 16.7" (42.4 cm) across, it stands roughly half the height of the larger Akari 10A (47.2" / 120 cm) and reads as a stacked, layered lantern rather than a single ovoid — an easy fit where a full floor sculpture would be too much.

It works beside a side table, in a reading nook, a bedroom corner, a hallway, or next to a low sofa or chair — anywhere you want a warm, sculptural glow without a large footprint. The light is soft and ambient (mood lighting rather than task lighting). If you want a bolder, room-defining statement, the 10A offers the same Akari character at a much larger scale. Want it overhead instead? See the Akari washi paper pendant lamp (three sizes).

Care & Assembly

The lamp arrives in two pieces — folded shade and tripod base — and assembles in a few minutes: open the shade along its bamboo ribs, seat it onto the wire frame, screw in the bulb, and plug in. No tools required.

Treat the washi paper as you would any fine paper object. Dust lightly with a soft, dry brush or a hairdryer on a cool, low setting. Avoid liquids and damp rooms, and keep the lamp clear of high-traffic walkways so the tripod isn't knocked. When changing the bulb, support the socket from below rather than twisting the shade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Noguchi's Akari and other paper lanterns?

Traditional Gifu chōchin are utilitarian lanterns. Noguchi's Akari series, begun in 1951, took the same washi-and-bamboo craft and reshaped it as modern sculpture — meant to be read as light itself rather than a container for a bulb. Our lamp is inspired by the Akari 7A form; the original series is still produced by Ozeki & Co. in Gifu.

What bulb does it take?

The lamp uses a standard E26 / E27 medium-base bulb. A 40W three-color-temperature LED is included so you can switch between warm, neutral, and cool white. Any E26/E27 bulb up to roughly 40W (LED equivalent) will work — keep wattage low so the paper stays cool to the touch.

How fragile is the washi paper?

Washi is stronger than it looks — its long fibers resist tearing far better than ordinary paper — but it is still paper. With normal indoor use it lasts for years. Avoid bumps, pets, and humidity, and dust gently rather than wiping.

How does it ship and assemble?

The shade ships folded flat to protect the bamboo ribs; the tripod base ships separately. Assembly takes a few minutes with no tools — unfold the shade along its ribs, set it onto the wire frame at the socket, install the bulb, and plug in.

Will it yellow over time?

Natural washi warms in tone gradually with age and light — many collectors consider this part of an Akari's character. Yellowing is slow and even when the lamp is kept out of direct sunlight. Replacement shades for this form are widely available.

Should I choose the Akari 7A or the larger 10A?

It comes down to scale and presence. The 7A is the compact floor model — about 25" (63.5 cm) tall with a tiered shade — a quieter accent that fits tighter spaces and side-table-height settings. The 10A is nearly twice the height (47.2" / 120 cm) with a single, full ovoid shade, meant to anchor a room as a light sculpture. Both use the same handmade washi-and-bamboo Akari craft and the same warm, even glow, so choose the 7A for subtlety and the 10A for a statement.

Shipping & Returns

Free US shipping (typically arrives within 2 weeks). 30-day free returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.