Di Classe, a lighting brand that plans and designs emotive interior lighting under the concept of "Drawing Thoughts Into Light," has added a new pendant lamp to its signature "Auro" series. The "Auro siwawashi" uses Karasuyama Washi, a traditional craft supplied to the Imperial Household Agency, wrinkled richly by hand. It is set to go on sale on October 7, 2026.
A New Expression of Light and Shadow Born From a Happy Accident and Customer Feedback
The "Auro" series is a signature work of the brand, inspired by a beautiful aurora shimmering across the night sky.
The conventional "Auro washi," which pairs the series' refined form with traditional Japanese washi paper, has been popular for the warm, translucent glow it gives when lit. However, customers who assembled the shade themselves reported that, because of the nature of washi, unintended wrinkles inevitably appeared.
"Then why not make the whole thing wrinkled from the start?" When the washi was actually kneaded by hand as a result of this reversal in thinking, the paper's plain, natural texture stood out more strongly. When the lamp is lit, soft light and deep shadows emerge through the intricately layered washi, creating strikingly beautiful shading.
Domei kneading the washi by hand
The mood of the light changes depending on the user
A Time for "Comfortable Relaxation," Especially in an Age of Efficiency
In modern life, where uniform brightness and efficiency tend to take priority, Di Classe wants to offer more than physical illumination. What it has in mind is the emotional value of "what kind of comfortable time flows because the lighting is there."
For the "Auro siwawashi," designer Domei personally kneads each shade by hand, one at a time, giving it a random, warm-looking character. Final assembly is left to the customer. Owners can smooth out some of the wrinkles to enjoy a gentle, sunset-colored glow, or knead the paper deeply to bring out artistic shadows, making a "one-of-a-kind light" by their own feel.
Besides the deep, rich gradation of light that spreads when the lamp is lit, it also works in the daytime as a fine object that softly catches natural light from the window, quietly drawing a story into everyday life.
Product Overview
- Product name: Auro siwawashi Pendant Lamp
- Release: Scheduled for October 7, 2026
- Price: ¥60,500 (tax included). This is for the model that comes with an incandescent bulb. The model that comes with an LED bulb costs ¥3,300 more.
- Materials: Paper (Karasuyama Washi), steel, polycarbonate
- Size: W43.2 × D43.2 × H41.0 cm. Total height is 58 cm at the shortest and 117 cm at the longest, and the height is adjustable.
- Weight: Approx. 0.8 kg
- Design: Domei (Representative Director and designer, Di Classe Co., Ltd.)
- Product details: https://www.di-classe-onlineshop.com/view/item/000000000204
Comment From the Designer
Domei, Designer and Representative Director
"Auro siwawashi" is a work that treats unintended wrinkles as character and draws out the deep expression of washi. When customers add their own kneading by hand, the refraction of light through the wrinkles etched into the washi creates a deep, rich gradation of light. Please enjoy the aurora of light created by the natural refraction through the wrinkles, shimmering in your space. I hope you will draw a story woven from one-of-a-kind light and shadow at home.
