![]() ![]() I have heard that he praised the light that passes through washi by saying, ‘There’s nothing better than this.’” Ozeki comments, “Isamu Noguchi’s works brought out the charm of traditional Gifu paper lanterns in a new way. Various Akari brand lamps designed by Isamu Noguchi In 1952, Noguchi launched his series of Akari ( akari means light in Japanese) lanterns, which have been highly acclaimed at numerous exhibitions in the United States. ![]() He visited the Gifu Chochin Cooperative, where Ozeki now serves as director, any number of times to study the production. Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988)**, the internationally renowned sculptor who also worked in garden design, interior design, and many other fields, was particularly attracted to Gifu paper lanterns. People in the West also have a delicate sense of light, so they recognized the charm of the soft light passing through washi.” I think the Gifu paper lantern of Japan has some similarities to that. Ozeki Morihiro, director of the Gifu Chochin Cooperative, comments, “The West has a traditional art of stained glass, in which pictures made from cut glass come to life when light passes through. An artisan painting designs on a Gifu paper lantern An artisan pasting washi onto the frame of a lantern In 1995, the Japanese government (Ministry of International Trade and Industry*) designated the Gifu paper lantern a National Traditional Craft. Highly regarded internationally, the lanterns developed as overseas orders continued to increase. Louis World’s Fair) in the United States in 1904, a Gold Medal at the World’s Fair in Liège, Belgium in 1905, and a Gold Medal at the International Exposition of Art and Technology in Modern Life in Paris in 1937. Gifu paper lanterns were awarded a Silver Medal at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. The washi is extremely thin but strong and without irregularities, making it easy to paint and draw beautiful designs on the surface of the paper. With a history dating back around 300 years, traditional Gifu paper lanterns are made from Mino washi and thin strips of bamboo, specialty products of the Mino region in Gifu Prefecture. The traditional designs mainly feature combinations of flowers such as chrysanthemums and balloon flowers. When the light inside the lantern is lit, the sophisticated designs painted on the washi that surrounds the light source come to life in the soft glow. Seasonal flowers and landscapes are painted on thin, supple washi paper to create Gifu paper lanterns, which are widely treasured for their delicate beauty. A Gifu paper lantern with a traditional design of chrysanthemums and other flowers ![]() When they are lit, flowers, landscapes, and other colorful designs come into view bathed in soft light. Gifu paper lanterns (Gifu Chochin) are made of thin washi handmade paper and thin strips of bamboo, and decorated with beautiful pictures. A Gifu paper lantern in a traditional Japanese living space ![]()
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