Hotaru Marker Floor Light, 2019

Hotaru Marker floor light by Barber Osgerby for Ozeki + Co Ltd.

The latest addition to the Hotaru collection are the design of floor and table bases, launched at the London Design Festival 2019:

The option for a base was always anticipated in the design of the lanterns and through a process of exploration, a simple pedestal evolved. Utilising the weight of cast iron allowed for a minimal footprint, whilst honouring the historical methods of paper and iron making. The stand design affords the sculptural Hotaru lanterns a different application and introduction to new environments. The stand and metal components are in black-annodised aluminium.

The Hotaru lanterns are constructed using traditional techniques and materials, with translucent Mulberry bark washi paper stretched over a bamboo structure that describes a bold contemporary form.

Named after the Japanese word for ‘firefly’, the collection is manufactured by Ozeki & Co Ltd, a celebrated Japanese company dedicated to making paper lanterns since 1891. Ozeki have previously collaborated with numerous Japanese artists and designers and worked with Isamu Noguchi on the production of his Akari light sculptures.

“We have always loved the simplicity and beauty of Japanese paper lanterns and have often talked about designing them. In 2012 whilst Edward was travelling through central Japan he visited Ozeki, the famous paper lantern manufacturer to learn more about the craft. After a conversation with the owner of the family-run business this project was born.” Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby.

The Hotaru collection was awarded the Design Guild Mark in 2022.