"Shirabe" is designed to be appreciated not only as ornamental room lighting, but also for its functional uses beyond the boundaries of East and West. It is intended to have additional functions, such as side table or display tray, so that it can be employed practically in our living.

We use our own 3-D production method to create "Shirabe" as a seamless washi sculpture, without the use of glue. 

A translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) body is built in to maintain its strength as a table. The shape of "Shirabe" comes from a hyotan (gourd) motif. The hyotan is traditionally recognized as an auspicious symbol and often used as an amulet.

Its slippery shell signifies that it cannot be caught, even by evil.

The hyotan also symbolizes the wish to be gifted with children, because it is filled with seeds, and the wish for business prosperity, because of the steadily creeping nature of its growth. Specially dyed threads are mixed into the washi and appear on "Shirabe's" curvy, flowing surface. The subtlety of the transparent acrylic table top creates a modern impression, and another clear acrylic board inserts into the top of the body as an extra display tray.

These ceiling lights with original washi are made by the traditional method.

The shade has a simple square shape to enhance the beauty and texture of the washi, and "Unkaku" is easily installed as ceiling or wall lighting.

The washi is made in our basic size of 2.7m x 2.1m and trimmed.

There are two patterns to choose from. "Flowing Watermark design" is made by atraditional watermark method. Three thin pieces with different designs are layered for a deeper penetration of light, which gives depth to the illumination. When the light is off, a subtle expression appears on the washi's plain white surface. The design used for this lighting comes from a Tatewaku motif, an ancient Japanese design, and it implies a good omen emanating from the universe.

Unkaku is produced with a hope that its installation will bring a good omen into the space.

"Pale-colored washi infused with threads" is made by a traditional method using pongee (wild silk) thread. A mixture of fibers dyed in four different colors are poured into the middle layer of washi. Depending on how the mixture is poured, spontaneous, natural irregularities occur; the colors flow differently in each piece, creating its own individual nuances and unique expression as lighting. Its pale color in the middle layer appears subtly through the washi's plain surface with threads when the light is off, while the pattern created by the colors and water drops emerges when light penetrates the paper.