For centuries, the town of Kanō in Gifu Prefecture has been producing elegant umbrellas known as Ja-no-me-gasa (snake’s eye umbrellas), made from bamboo and brightly colored washi paper. Despite their ...

Paper has been an intimate part of Japanese culture for more than a millennium. Handmade washi paper has a warm texture, as well as a resilience and durability that belie its remarkable thinness.

Japanese studio Nendo has teamed up with a traditional Japanese paper moulding specialist to create a collection of pendant light shades with a coloured exterior and reflective interior (+ slideshow).