toyo ito crafts 'mayuhana' lighting for yamagiwa

toyo ito crafts ‘mayuhana’ lighting for yamagiwa SE144 overhanging E27 FBA max 1x20W H2265 x Wφ430 x D2050 mm /27.0kg

toyo ito‘s ‘mayuhana’ series of lamps for japanese lighting company yamagiwa is a collaboration which began more than a decade ago. today, there are a total of 14 types of ‘mayuhana’ lamps available in a range of designs — from floor to large scale pendant lamp versions. over time, ito has continued to create a variety of shapes and sizes for the ‘mayuhana’ family. the first five prototype versions of the lamp were presented at the yamagiwa lighting design presentation at milan furniture fair 2007. for 2010, he presents seven new designs to the collection.

left: SE142 oval tall, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H1700 x φ470mm / 9.0kgright: SE143 oval short, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H800 x φ470mm / 5.0kg

the series was developed by reeling string around a mold the way thread is spun off a cocoon. the softness of the light is reminiscent of a traditional japanese portable paper lantern (bonbori), which is enhanced by the light coming through the double and triple shelters. this brings to mind the image of light depicted in the famous novel junichiro tanizaki’s ‘in praise of shadows’.

left: SE141 floor oval double, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H375 x φ470mm / 0.8kgright: SE151 floor double, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H435 x φ430mm /0.8kg

in developing new additions to the collection, ito mentioned that ‘mayuhana’ does not refer specifically to occidental nor oriental design. it is represented both as geometric and non-geometric forms. this is something which he continues to look for through his architecture, where he is not restrained to existing boundaries.

left: PE112 oval pendant, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H357 x φ470mm /0.7kgright: PE119 double pendant, E27 FBA max 1x20W, H418 x φ430mm /0.7kg