FAQs

You can reach us by email at akari@noguchi.org or by phone at 718.721.2308. Our customer service office hours are Monday—Friday, 9AM—5PM.

North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)

We (The Noguchi Museum) sell Akari directly through this online store and at our brick and mortar museum shop in New York City. 

Select Akari are sometimes temporarily available through our exhibition partners; currently at Peabody Essex Museum in MA for Isamu Noguchi: I am not a designer, and Barnes Foundation in PA for Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America. 

Japan

Ozeki & Co. sell Akari directly through their online store, their Tokyo showroom, and through various resellers in the region, including The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan in Mure.

Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East

Vitra sells Akari directly through their online store and through authorized design partners in these regions.

Akari are made in Gifu, Japan, an area known for its manufacture of paper lanterns called chochin. Akari are fabricated by Ozeki & Co., a family company founded in 1891 that specializes in traditional methods of making chochin lanterns. Ozeki & Co. have been manufacturing Akari since 1951.

See more information about the history and manufacturing of Akari in our digital feature: History of Akari Light Sculptures.

Type: LED

Base: E26 or E27

Wattage: Max 60W

Wattage Equivalent: 20W—75W incandescent equivalency. See product pages for model-specific suggestions.

Kelvin Scale: For a warm glow that is particularly harmonious with Akari shades, we suggest a bulb rated at 2700K or lower.

Akari have a voltage rating of 120V—240V and a two-prong plug designed for North American outlets/wall sockets. 

You will need a plug converter if the voltage system in your region falls within 120V—240V, but has a different kind of outlet.

You will need a voltage converter if the voltage system in your region falls outside of 120V—240V.

Replacement feet for all Akari and replacement shades for BB1, BB2, and BB3 models are regularly stocked and available.

Wire kits for Akari ceiling lamps are available for $35.

Replacement parts (shades, harps, legs) for other Akari are not kept in stock but can be special-ordered from the manufacturer. 

To order replacement parts, email us at akari@noguchi.org

We do not recommend installing Akari near sources of intense heat or in outdoor conditions. As the shades are made of untreated paper, they are sensitive to their environment. 

For cleaning, we suggest using soft and dry tools such as a feather duster, dry cloth, dry paintbrush, or condensed air for keeping the lamp clear of dust. 

For repair of minor holes and tears, we suggest using a translucent, archival paper repair tape. Two brands that we use in-house are Filmoplast P and Lineco Mending Tissue.

All genuine Akari are stamped with the red sun and moon logo, and contemporary models also feature the “I. Noguchi” signature. Isamu Noguchi designed the Akari logo combining a stylized sun and crescent moon like the Japanese Kanji it is based on (明). Trademarked in 1955, the sun and moon logo marks all authentic Akari light sculptures.

The Coffee Table and Rudder Table are made by Herman Miller in the United States.

The Cyclone Tables are made by Knoll in the United States

The Prismatic Table and Freeform Sofa + Ottoman are made by Vitra in Europe.

Yes, contact us at akari@noguchi.org for more information.

We do not currently offer a wholesale or trade discount. We are primarily a direct-to-consumer business, with all sales directly supporting the Noguchi Museum and its programming.

Members of the Noguchi Museum receive a 10% discount on Akari, prints, publications, and Museum Shop items. See our membership page to learn more.

When you sign up for a membership, you will receive a discount code by email. Enter this code into the discount code field during checkout and click “apply” in order to receive your discount on an order.

The Noguchi Museum is committed to the accessibility and usability of our websites for all people with disabilities. The National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH (NCAM) serves as accessibility consultant in our active and ongoing efforts toward this end, including continued implementation of the relevant portions of the World Wide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA (WCAG 2.1 AA) as our standard.

If you encounter an access issue, require alternate formats for archival materials, or for any other assistance, please email us at accessibility@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088 ext 206.

The Noguchi Museum’s research is ongoing. For questions, corrections, or contributions to the archival or editorial information on our website, please contact shop@noguchi.org. For media inquiries, please contact press@noguchi.org.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Akari light sculptures, The Noguchi Museum is seeking images of creative and inspiring ways to display them to be featured on our digital channels with credit. Submission details here. For media inquiries, please contact press@noguchi.org.

For all media inquiries, including requests to feature design works by Isamu Noguchi or to reproduce media on our website, please contact press@noguchi.org.