Isamu Noguchi Large Early J1 Akari Pendant By Isamu Noguchi For Ozeki, 1950s

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This exquisite Early Large J! Akari lamp is in fantastic condition. It was designed by Isamu Noguchi back in 1951 and produced by Ozeki & Co., Ltd. This particular model, the J1, is a striking square-shaped pendant from the Akari series. It boasts of the earliest manufacturer's mark, which features a red sun and half-moon insignia. The lamp is crafted using Japanese washi paper, bamboo, and metal. Noguchi's inspiration for the design came from his visit to Gifu, Japan, a town renowned for producing lanterns and umbrellas from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. He used traditional Gifu construction methods to create the first lamps, which he named Akari. The term refers to light as an illuminant, as well as the concept of weightlessness. Since its inception in 1951, Akari has been handcrafted in Japan by Ozeki & Co., using the same traditional techniques to create Gifu lanterns. The washi paper is made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree and cut into strips, which are then glued onto both sides of the sculptural-shaped bamboo ribbing. Once the glue has dried, the lamp's wooden form is removed, leaving a resilient paper form that can be packed and transported with ease. Noguchi's use of traditional Japanese materials, combined with modern design elements, resulted in an exquisite piece that provides a warm glow, much like the beauty of falling leaves. Akari lamps are described by him as poetic, ephemeral, and tentative, and he famously said that all you need to start a home is a room, a tatami, and an Akari lamp.

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