A Japanese-style lamp is built on one idea: the light should be diffused, never seen directly. The traditional paper lantern does this by wrapping the flame, and now the bulb, in a thin shade of paper stretched over fine ribs. Modern Japanese-style lighting keeps the principle and extends it to silk, fabric, wood slats and stone.
What defines the style
- Diffused light. The whole shade glows; the bulb is hidden.
- Natural materials. Paper, silk, wood, cane, stone. See our guides to rattan pendant lights and stone lamps.
- Simple geometry. Globes, ovals, cubes, saucers, with visible ribs or seams.
- Quiet colours. White, cream, beige, natural wood, black lines.
The style overlaps with two others. Wabi-Sabi values imperfect, natural textures. Japandi combines Japanese restraint with Scandinavian warmth. See our Japandi and Wabi-Sabi lighting collection.
To apply the Japandi approach room by room, with real sizes, see our guide to Japandi lighting for the bedroom and living room.
For a side-by-side comparison of the two styles, lamp by lamp, read Japandi vs wabi-sabi lighting.
Japanese-style pendant lights
| Model | Material | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Silk Oval Pendant Light | silk fabric | Ø 40 × H 22 cm or Ø 50 × H 28 cm |
| White Silk Saucer Pendant | silk fabric | Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm |
| Round Silk Globe Pendant | silk fabric | Ø 25 × H 26 cm |
| Wavy Fabric Pendant | natural textured fabric | Ø 45, 55 or 60 cm |
| Travertine Walnut Pendant Light | travertine stone and walnut wood | Ø 17 cm |
The silk pendants hang on a 150 cm cord and come in warm white by default. The Wavy Fabric Pendant hangs on a 150 cm adjustable cord and is offered in warm white 3000K by default, with neutral 4500K or white 6000K on request.
Japanese-style wall lamps
- The Japanese Kraft Paper Cube Wall Lamp is a kraft paper cube with stitched twine edges, about 20 cm wide and 23 cm high. The whole cube glows through the paper.
- The Japanese Louvered Slat Wall Lamp stacks gently flared slats into a square that recalls a folded paper lantern. It comes in two sizes: W 18.5 × D 12.5 × H 17 cm and W 20 × D 12.5 × H 24 cm.
Japanese-style floor lamps
The Wabi-Sabi Slanted Shade Floor Lamp has a slanted fabric shade on a slim column, 173 cm high, in dark wood, light wood or black. For paper lanterns, see our paper lantern lamp guide.
How to light a room the Japanese way
- Use several low lights instead of one bright one. A pendant over the table, a paper lamp in a corner, a wall lamp by the bed.
- Keep the light warm. Paper and silk already warm the light; warm white bulbs complete it. See warm white vs cool white.
- Hang pendants low over tables. The light stays on the surface and the rest of the room remains calm.
- Repeat one material. Paper with paper, or silk with silk, so that the lights read as a family.
To compare every lantern-shaped pendant we sell, from silk ovals to ribbed glass, with real sizes and cord lengths, read lantern pendant lights.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Japanese lamp called?
The traditional paper lantern is the model. Modern versions are usually sold as paper lantern lamps, rice paper lamps or Japanese-style pendant lights.
Are Japanese paper lamps durable?
Paper shades should be kept dry and dusted with a soft brush. See how to clean lamp shades.
What is the difference between Japanese and Japandi lighting?
Japandi mixes the Japanese approach with Scandinavian design: the same diffused light and natural materials, with warmer woods and softer shapes.
