Hibit 45 Washi Pendant Lamp by Asano

Hibit 45 Washi Pendant Lamp by Asano — rice paper and bamboo filament in a hanging lantern, handmade in Gifu.

Made by Asano Shoten in Gifu, Japan.

The Design Story

In Gifu, lantern-making has been a craft since the Edo period, fed by the clear Nagara River, the forests of Mount Kinka and the paper mills of nearby Mino. Asano Shoten opened there in 1917 and has stayed with the chochin ever since: bamboo ribs wound by hand, washi pasted on sheet by sheet, edges cut with a razor. Since 1999 its lantern forms have been drawn in CAD and laser-cut, so a century-old technique can carry modern shapes. Nearly every material, from the paper to the parts, comes from Gifu Prefecture.

Why You’ll Love It

Hibit is the lantern idea in its purest form: paper, bamboo and a wire frame, glowing from within. Hung low, it softens a dining table; hung in a group, it fills a stairwell with gentle light. The cord color lets you choose between a lantern that floats and one that makes a line.

Made for Real Life

Keep it in a dry room and dust it now and then. For a table lamp in the same spirit, see Paper Moon 5 Washi Paper Lamp by Asano. With the light off, sweep the paper with a feather duster; no liquids, no steam.

Product Details

Where It Shines

Over a table, in a bedroom, a stairwell or an entry.

Questions We Hear Most

How is the Hibit lantern built?

A wire frame opens a single spiral of bamboo filament, and rice paper is laid over it, the same structure as Asano’s table lanterns.

White or black cord on the Hibit: which looks better?

White for a lantern that seems to float on a pale ceiling; black for a sharper, more graphic look.

What kind of light does the Hibit give?

Soft, diffused light in every direction, ideal for ambient lighting rather than task light.

Where is the Hibit made?

By hand in Gifu, Japan, at Asano Shoten, lantern makers since 1917.

Where does the Hibit look best? (our styling advice)

Above a table, in a bedroom or a stairwell; group several at different drops for a floating constellation.

How do I keep the Hibit’s paper looking new?

With the light off, sweep the paper with a feather duster; no liquids, no steam.

For the Trade

Specifying soft lighting for a client’s home, a spa, a ryokan-style hotel or a restaurant? Members of the LoftModern Trade Program (interior designers, architects, contractors, builders, home stagers and commercial buyers) receive trade pricing, up to 20% off retail on eligible brands, plus round-the-clock concierge support for stock checks and lead times. Apply once with your business details; we reply by email with your account.

Why We Love It

The softest light we know how to hang.

Shipping Info