AWA KOYORI Series Release Announcement
Traditional Japanese handmade washi harmonizes with modern life.
AWA KOYORI series
The AWA KOYORI series represents a sublime fusion of the timeless craftsmanship of Awa washi and contemporary sculptural sensibilities, transforming light into an object of beauty. By applying a unique hand-rubbing technique to kozo washi, we have drawn out its supple and richly textured expressions. The forms that arise from KOYORI technique bring gentle light and tranquility to any space.
This series is a revival based on the works of Kyoko Ibe, created during the Mid Century Modern era. It reconstructs the innovative spirit of that time, which explored the relationships between materials, space, light, and shadow, while adding a refinement suitable for contemporary environments. The light sculptures, re-imbued with life across generations, quietly convey the essence of the spirit and beauty of washi that continues to resonate today.
Washi
Supple texture nurtured by nature
Washi is a traditional Japanese paper, handcrafted from plant fibers using time-honored techniques.
Among these, kozo—the mulberry fiber used in the AWA KOYORI series—has particularly long strands, giving it both strength and softness.
Cultivated by pruning young branches each year while preserving the parent tree, kozo is a sustainable material with minimal environmental impact.
Its natural texture and the gentle translucency that filters light bring a warmth and subtle beauty to any space—qualities that no other material can replicate.
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processing of a rubbing by hand
Shades and Depth
The washi used in AWA KOYORI is made in Tokushima, in the historic paper-making region of Awa.
Each sheet is hand-crumpled to create soft shadows and organic depth, revealing a quiet vitality that changes expression when touched by light.
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Each sheet is hand-crumpled to create soft shadows and organic depth, revealing a quiet vitality that changes expression when touched by light.
KOYORI technique
Paper takes shape and resonates with space
Koyori (twisted paper) is a plastic art technique in which paper is twisted, bent, knotted, and connected to create a three-dimensional object.
Artist Kyoko Ibe sublimated this technique, which she has cultivated through spatial art such as stage sets, into AWA KOYORI LIGHT.
The forms, which avoid straight lines and regularity and take advantage of the inherent softness of washi paper, bring a natural and poetic rhythm to the space.
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The beautiful relationship between Washi paper and light
The lighting of AWA KOYORI dramatically transforms its presence depending on the chosen light source. The daylight option accentuates the purity of the washi's white, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere, while the warm white option, with its soft shadows, offers a soothing experience that gently eases the mind.
By changing the light source, different narratives emerge within the everyday, and this "drop of choice" is one of the many ways to enjoy the illumination of AWA KOYORI.
Designer: Kyoko Ibe
A contemporary artist known internationally as a pioneer of washi paper modeling, he has been pursuing pioneering expression using washi as a material since the 1970s and has been active in a wide range of fields including art, crafts, performing arts, and installations. Highly acclaimed in museums, universities, and performing arts venues in Japan and abroad, his numerous accomplishments include receiving the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs' Envoy for Cultural Exchange and other international awards.
The AWA KOYORI series was born from Kyoko Ibe’s long exploration of washi as a medium
ranslating the materials and techniques she developed for stage installations into objects that enrich everyday living spaces.
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