Wall Lamp "Take no Akari "
Hishigata Yotsume
Manufactured by Yamagiwa
Japan, 1980s
Woven bamboo and electrical components

Measurements
26 × 27 × 34h cm
10,2 × 10,6 × 13,4h in

Details
Manufacturer's Label

Provenance
Private collection, Japan

Literature
METROCS, Take no Akari – Hishigata Yotsume Bracket Lamp, Shosaku Kondo, manufacturer's catalogue, illustrated.

About
The Take no Akari Wall Lamp – Hishigata Yotsume Type, designed by Shosaku Kondo and manufactured by Yamagiwa, represents an important expression of Japanese modern lighting through the reinterpretation of traditional bamboo craftsmanship. Developed within the broader Take no Akari series, the lamp combines established weaving techniques with the functional principles of industrial design. Its restrained geometric composition and natural materiality reflect Kondo's commitment to integrating traditional Japanese craftsmanship into contemporary domestic environments.
The lamp is characterized by its intricately woven bamboo shade, featuring a diamond-shaped lattice pattern that creates a rhythmic interplay between solid and open surfaces. The delicate arrangement of bamboo strips allows light to pass through the structure, producing subtle variations of illumination and shadow. Its compact wall-mounted configuration emphasizes the relationship between material, geometry, and architectural space, while the natural warmth of bamboo contributes to the lamp's distinctive visual character.
The Take no Akari series emerged during the postwar development of Japanese design, when traditional craft techniques were increasingly reconsidered through modern manufacturing processes. Kondo's work demonstrated how bamboo could be transformed into contemporary lighting without losing its material and cultural identity. Through its combination of artisanal knowledge, structural simplicity, and atmospheric illumination, the lamp embodies a design philosophy in which craftsmanship and modern functionality coexist.

Biography
Shosaku Kondo (born 1927 in Niigata Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese bamboo craftsman and designer recognized for his contribution to modern Japanese lighting design. His practice developed through an exploration of traditional bamboo-working techniques and their application to contemporary functional objects. Combining the perspectives of an artisan and industrial designer, Kondo established a distinctive approach characterized by material experimentation, geometric refinement, and structural simplicity.
During the postwar period, Kondo developed lighting designs that reinterpreted traditional Japanese bamboo craftsmanship through modern production principles. His celebrated Take no Akari series, introduced through Yamagiwa in 1961, became an important example of the integration of artisanal weaving techniques with contemporary lighting technology. His work reflects a sustained interest in the relationship between natural materials, functional objects, and the atmospheric qualities of illumination.
Throughout his career, Kondo continued to explore the structural and expressive possibilities of bamboo, developing designs that emphasize the material's flexibility, resilience, and visual delicacy. His contribution to Japanese modernism illustrates how traditional craftsmanship can be adapted to contemporary environments while preserving its cultural significance and material authenticity.