** Please note that this item can be used only in Japan.
Kotori standard series (ST)
The Kotori ST Pendant lighting is made on the same craftmanship as of Kyoto-style wagasa, the Japanese traditional umbrellas. The lighting is characterized by a delicate bamboo-made structure, and a soft and subtle light coming through the washi paper lampshade. It reminds when the sunlight shines through an opened wagasa umbrella, and reveals the details and contrast of the bamboo and the washi paper. The simple beauty of the lamp brings a timeless and universal beauty not only to a Japanese room, but also to a contemporary space.
Using the traditional technique of the wagasa making, the lampshade can be folded in a compact way just like a Japanese umbrella. You will enjoy the elaborate opening and closing structure and the way the lampshade just "spreads out".
Released in 2006, this is a standard series that maintains the beauty of the design of the High Grade Series (HG). With an emphasis in the brightness the Kotori Pendant lighting is equipped with 2 x 100W lamps, making it more affordable.
【Product Detail】
** Please note that this item can be used only in Japan.
Features of 古都里-KOTORI-ST pendant
Standard series (ST) uses the beautiful designs of high-grade series (HG) that is equipped with two light bulbs. The height of the lampshade is taller.
Equipped with a pull switch that allows you to adjust the brightness with a code, you can easily switch to 3 levels of brightness at hand.
A total of 80 bamboo bones including the 40 main bones and 40 sub-bones are made from one bamboo tree.
Beautiful domestic handmade washi is pasted on the frame fixed to the mold in an open state by skillful technique.
After drying overnight, it is removed from the mold, then creased neatly, and folded like an umbrella to complete it.
Since the lamp shade can be removed from the lamp, it can be replaced according to the season and interior.
Purpose: For home (japanes style room, dining room, living room, bedroom, etc)
For business (restaurant, hotel, etc) *logo printing, special order, fabric change, the original design is available. Please contact us for more details. (Examples of use for business)
Hiyoshiya
Hiyoshiya, a long-established Kyowagasa shop since 160 years ago is currently the only factory that manufactures Kyowagasa in Kyoto. We have preserved and protected the techniques and skills of wagasa crafts for over five generations. Kyowagasa is still manufactured by the hands of craftsmen one by one taking around two to three weeks in the process.
Wagasa was first introduced from China during the Nara period and has a history of over 1000 years.
In the Edo period especially was the time wagasa was used as a daily product and was in people’s lifestyle such that whenever it rains, people held a wagasa.
Wagasa is also called “Bangasa” which was familiarised as a daily-use umbrella and was essential to Japanese life. (Ban means a standard which indicated bangasa was used in daily life).
However as time changed rapidly from Edo, Meiji, Taisho, Shouwa, Heisei, and the current Reiwa period, lifestyle changed as well. Modernization caused drastic change during the Showa period where the daily-use wagasa turned into a traditional artifact and was no longer used in daily life other than traditional events and special events.
"Is it okay to just leave the wagasa as a special existence? Why not create something that is used in everyday life as it used to be."
This is when we founded HIYOSHIYA Contemporary collection. Tradition is not to be only preserved and inherited, but a continuing innovation that changes changing its forms as time pass. This is what we really think the continuation of tradition is about.
Tradition is Continuing Innovation
“HIYOSHIYA Contemporary” collection is what Hiyoshiya as a long-established store of Kyowagasa that continues for over 160 years and five generations present you the new style of “WAGASA”.
What is tradition? Hiyoshiya has been thinking about this question for a long time.
Every product starts off as a new innovation, it is never born as a tradition.
Wagasa too started off as an innovative tool 1000 years ago.
It then evolved through time, became a common and familiar tool in daily life, then became a traditional artifact.
This tradition will be innovated using the power of design to become a design product and is to be reborn now.
Under our concept, “Tradition is Continuing Innovation”, we will create products that can be enjoyed and used by customers of the current time.
Birth of “古都里-KOTORI-” Series
This series of design lighting is based on the concept that "Tradition is Continuing Innovation".
Kotaro Nishibori, a wagasa craftsman, Hiroshi Nagane, a lighting designer, Akihiko Shimada, a brand producer, coordinator Sayaka Ono formed a project team and completed it by repeating trial and error for over two years.
Instead of being trapped within the world of historical cities and tradition, we want it to be free like a little bird.
This is the thought behind the name “古都里-KOTORI-”. It is released on 2006, December 1st. The main features are that it can be compact and open like umbrellas, and the beauty of light that passes through the beautiful contrast of bamboo and washi that is cast warm and calm light as it is turned on.
One day when sun drying wagasa, Kotaro was impressed by the beauty of the light when casually looking up from inside the umbrella.
That day when Kotaro first thought if it could be used as a lighting fixture, feels like yesterday.
After that, Kotaro met the development team and succeeded in commercializing it after overcoming many difficulties.
We were able to win many awards including the Good Design Award, and now we are shipping domestically and internationally.
“Tradition is Continuing Innovation” Please have a look at the video of manufacturing story of 古都里-KOTORI-.
Product detail
HG Pendant Lamp φ388×H280mm
Size (Lamp shade) : φ388×H280mm
Size (Incl. electrical cord) : φ388×H770mm
Structural material : steel, traditional Japanese paper washi, wood, bamboo
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