Shigeru Uchida
A Fusion of Modernism and Japanese Aesthetics
One of Japan’s leading interior designers and architect, Shigeru Uchida. His work spans a wide range of projects, from commercial spaces and architecture to furniture and lighting. He is known for his distinctive approach to design, which considers not only the character and atmosphere of a space, but also the passage of time within it.
His representative works include boutiques for Yohji Yamamoto, the Kobe Fashion Museum, and the tea rooms Jūan, Sōan, and Gyōan, as well as numerous comprehensive hotel design projects, including Hotel Il Palazzo and Mojiko Hotel.
The Paper Moon lighting collection, which makes use of the soft, gentle glow of washi paper, is a work that embodies this philosophy. It reflects a distinctly Japanese aesthetic—one that does not seek to dominate a space, but instead quietly and naturally blends into its surroundings.
His many accolades include the Mainichi Design Award, the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Throughout his career, he has created designs that transcend time and continue to become a quiet, enduring part of everyday life.
Asano Shoten
Design concept: "Values and Philosophy"
Preserving Tradition While Embracing New Lifestyles
One of Asano Shoten’s defining characteristics is its continued commitment to evolving beyond simply preserving tradition. The company actively seeks to adapt traditional lanterns to contemporary lifestyles, creating products that naturally bridge the past and the present.
A prime example is the Paper Moon lighting series, developed in 1998 in collaboration with Shigeru Uchida, one of Japan’s leading interior designers.
Drawing on the refined elegance and delicate craftsmanship unique to traditional lanterns, the series was designed to blend quietly into contemporary living spaces without demanding attention. Its ability to complement both Japanese and Western-style interiors has made it a long-standing and much-loved collection.
Asano Shoten is also progressive in adopting IT technologies, advanced manufacturing equipment, and new materials in its production processes.
The company has established an integrated in-house production system covering everything from planning and design to manufacturing, assembly, finishing, and the application of family crests and lettering. By combining precise CAD-based design, high-accuracy digital management of family crest data, ultra-thin sheets, and inkjet printing technology, Asano Shoten skillfully brings together traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.
The company is also deeply committed to training the next generation of lantern craftsmen, particularly in the traditional lantern-covering techniques that are essential to its craft. Through these efforts, Asano Shoten continues to preserve and pass on this historic form of craftsmanship for generations to come.
Asano Shoten
Manufacturing Process and Materials
● A Fusion of Traditional Craftsmanship and Contemporary Design
Based on the craftsmanship of Gifu Lanterns, a nationally designated traditional Japanese craft, each piece is carefully handcrafted by skilled artisans. High-quality Mino washi paper is combined with bamboo or PET resin strips to create each lantern with meticulous attention to detail.
●A Soft Glow Like Moonlight
The exceptionally thin, finely textured washi paper gently diffuses the light from the bulb, creating a soft and delicate glow. The warm, tranquil shadows evoke the image of the moon floating in the night sky, bringing a calming and relaxing atmosphere to the space.
●Humorous and Organic Forms
The designs are inspired by familiar shapes found in nature and everyday life, such as the moon, gourd, and bamboo shoot. Simple yet charming, these forms blend beautifully not only with Japanese-style interiors, but also with Western-style rooms and contemporary spaces.
●Functionality Unique to Traditional Lanterns
Extremely lightweight and easy to carry, the lanterns can be used both as table lamps and floor lamps. Their traditional lantern structure also allows them to be folded compactly, making them convenient to store and transport.
Asano Shoten
Reason for deciding to work with
浅野商店
Our Deep Connection with Gifu and Eiji Sumi
Our lifestyle shop KOZLIFE and our in-house brand kura common have long had a strong connection with Gifu Prefecture. Many of the products we carry are made in Gifu, where a rich tradition of craftsmanship and manufacturing continues to thrive.
Our relationship with Gifu has grown even deeper through our connection with Eiji Sumi, a designer based in Gifu City and the designer of STIIK.
Over the years, our company has been strongly influenced by Scandinavian design and craftsmanship, and we have primarily focused on importing and introducing outstanding international brands to Japan. At the same time, we have come to realize that Japan is home to an incredible wealth of craftsmanship, skills, and products that can be proudly shared with the world.
While Japan may not have a design culture as widely recognized internationally as Scandinavia, it has its own unique design heritage, values, and craftsmanship, with many things that are truly worth celebrating.
That is why we want to go beyond simply importing products. By drawing on the experience and connections we have built through our work with international brands, we hope to introduce outstanding Japanese products and craftsmanship not only to customers in Japan, but also to people around the world.
This vision is what inspired us to embark on this new initiative.
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