Keep it long, treasure it long.

Gentle light overflowing from washi paper

Gifu lanterns emit a soft light like the moon. The simple design, which fits in both Japanese and Western-style rooms, was jointly developed by Asano Shoten and interior designer Shigeru Uchida. The light shining through the plain Japanese paper brings peace of mind.

Lanterns that fit into modern lifestyles

A lamp that is soothing with its soft form and light through the Japanese paper. Paper moon mixes the Japanese charm of traditional crafts, Gifu lanterns, with a modern impression, making it a design that fits into modern lifestyles.

The good thing about lanterns is that they illuminate the room well when unfolded and become compact when folded. In addition, they are very light, so they are easy to rearrange, and you can change their location depending on your mood, place them on a desk as indirect lighting, or use them as a night light in the entrance or hallway. They are also great for lighting up the base of a desk. In addition, the light bulb can be turned on and off with a switch, and it is safe and secure because it does not use fire.

Designer Shigeru Uchida (1943 - 2016) is one of Japan's leading designers, and has been involved in a wide range of activities both domestically and internationally, from commercial and residential design to furniture, industrial design, and regional development. The paper moon, designed with Uchida, is reproduced by skilled craftsmen with meticulous handiwork.

All of the shapes available feature gentle curves, and are designed to blend naturally into any space, whether Japanese or Western. They come in humorous Japanese shapes such as gourds, rice cakes, bamboo shoots, eggs, and round shapes, and we recommend matching the paper moons together to create a unified look in your room. The high-quality Gifu lanterns, packaged in modern packaging, are also perfect as gifts for family and friends.

Gifu lanterns, a world-renowned traditional craft

Gifu lanterns are a world-renowned traditional craft of Japan. They are made primarily from thin, high-quality Mino washi paper from the Mino region of Gifu Prefecture and bamboo grown in the rich natural environment of Gifu. They feature delicate and elegant fire bags with refreshing autumn grasses and landscapes, and are captivating with their beauty and sophistication.

The origins of Japanese lanterns date back about 900 years. In Gifu, lantern production began around the mid-Edo period, and lanterns made from high-quality Mino washi paper were presented to the shogunate from that time. The basic form of Gifu lanterns was completed around 1750, and around 1800, lanterns with colorful paintings of flowers became popular instead of white lanterns. Then, around 1850, thin paper and thin rib frames became mainstream, emphasizing appearance, and this became the prototype for the delicate and elegant Gifu lanterns of today.

Light that illuminates the future

Since its founding in 1917, Asano Shoten has been making lanterns in the castle town of Gifu, a city rich in history and tradition. Most of the materials and parts are sourced locally in Gifu Prefecture, and the company protects and nurtures the historic Gifu lanterns by wrapping the bamboo strips and pasting them with thin, transparent paper using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. The brand also creates lanterns as new lighting that is in tune with the modern era, sometimes working with designers.