Edo Lighting
EDO STYLE
Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Edo
18th Century Japanese Bronze Tōrō Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
18th-Century Japanese bronze tōrō lantern with recently updated wiring.
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Contemporary Japanese Chochin Floor Lamp Limited Edition #1 Zen Washi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: OBAKE A
Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings.
Base is made of brass. Limited pattern painted model. Edition of 3+1AP
E26,27 light bulb.
Available to work with 100-250V.
Artist statement
In Japan, there is an animist belief that the soul dwells in old tools that have passed a long time and turns into spirits such as "Youkai" or "OBAKE." Its existence lurks in the darkness of everyday life, sometimes causing fear and sometimes entertaining.
This lantern is not an old tool, but it is made by the historic "Kojima Shoten", where the 10th generation are craftsmen in Kyoto. It's rare nowadays, and it's a style in which lanterns are made from bamboo bones to assembling papers and painting in one workshop and go. So, I decided to transform the polite crafted Japanese lanterns, which have been run through a traditional history, into a modern and pop style. It's not just OBAKE lurking in the darkness, but an existence who snuggles up to us as a more sophisticated being.
These one-eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye "A [a]" is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means "truth" and "spirit of inquiry" at the same time. The blue-eyed "UN [hu?]" expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means "wisdom" and "nirvana." There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the "A" and "UN" as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues...
Category
2010s Japanese Edo Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Japanese Chochin Floor Lamp Limited Edition #2 Zen Washi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: OBAKE UN
Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings.
Base is made of brass. Limited pattern painted model. Edition of 3+1AP
E26,27 light bulb.
Available to work with 100-250V.
Artist statement
In Japan, there is an animist belief that the soul dwells in old tools that have passed a long time and turns into spirits such as "Youkai" or "OBAKE." Its existence lurks in the darkness of everyday life, sometimes causing fear and sometimes entertaining.
This lantern is not an old tool, but it is made by the historic "Kojima Shoten", where the 10th generation are craftsmen in Kyoto. It's rare nowadays, and it's a style in which lanterns are made from bamboo bones to assembling papers and painting in one workshop and go. So, I decided to transform the polite crafted Japanese lanterns, which have been run through a traditional history, into a modern and pop style. It's not just OBAKE lurking in the darkness, but an existence who snuggles up to us as a more sophisticated being.
These one-eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye "A [a]" is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means "truth" and "spirit of inquiry" at the same time. The blue-eyed "UN [hu?]" expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means "wisdom" and "nirvana." There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the "A" and "UN" as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues...
Category
2010s Japanese Edo Lighting
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Japanese Chochin Floor Lamp Zen Washi Japanese Paper Shade
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Under the Hazy Moon
Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings.
Base is made of brass...
Category
2010s Japanese Edo Lighting
Materials
Brass
Japanese Temple Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Japanese lantern is rare and spectacular in its size and ornamental design. A true one of a kind piece. It can be used as a hanging fixture, as seen in the photos or a magnifice...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large 19th Century Imari Temple Jar Table Lamp
Located in Richmond, London
A stunning Japanese Imari Temple Jar table lamp. 19 century.
Why we like it
Great scale in traditional Imari palette and motifs.
About Imari ware
Imari ware originated in the tow...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Edo Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Bamboo Lattice Light Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen Japanese Craft Mingei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Lamp designed by Ryosuke Harashima.
This work is made of antique Japanese bamboo basket and brass.
Artist creates new style lamp by comb...
Category
2010s Japanese Edo Lighting
Materials
Brass
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Edo lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Edo lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo lighting made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include and Ryosuke Harashima. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $4,150.