In 1951 Isamu Noguchi visited the town of Gifu, Japan, known for its manufacture of lanterns and umbrellas from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Noguchi designed the first of his lamps that would be produced by the traditional Gifu methods of construction. He called these works Akari, a term meaning light as illumination, but also implying the idea of weightlessness.

The fabrication of Akari in Japan at Ozeki & Co. since 1951 follows the traditional methods for Japanese Gifu lanterns. Each Akari is handcrafted beginning with the making of washi paper from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. Bamboo ribbing is stretched across sculptural molded wood forms. The washi paper is cut into strips and glued onto both sides of the framework. Once the glue has dried and the shape is set, the internal wooden form is disassembled and removed. The outcome is a resilient paper form, which can be collapsed and packed flat for shipping.

With the warm glow of light cast through handmade paper on a bamboo frame, Isamu Noguchi utilized traditional Japanese materials to bring modern design to the home. Like the beauty of falling leaves and the cherry blossom, Noguchi wrote, Akari are “poetic, ephemeral, and tentative.” And he was fond of saying, “All that you require to start a home are a room, a tatami, and Akari.”

SHIPPING:
Orders shipped within the United States are sent via USPS or UPS. Tracking information will be provided by email once your order has shipped.

PEM Shop is not responsible for lost or stolen merchandise once an order has shipped. Customers are encouraged to use the tracking information provided to monitor their shipments.

IN STORE PICKUP:
We are pleased to offer in-store pickup for our local customers! Follow the steps below to pick up your online order:

1. Shop online at shop.pem.org.
2. At checkout, select Curbside Pickup as your shipping method and place your order.
3. Once your order is ready, you will receive an email with pickup instructions.
4. Follow the instructions in your email and pick up your order at PEM Shop, located at 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970.
5. Orders not picked up within two weeks of the order date will be canceled and refunded.

Please Note:

• Please allow 2–3 days from the purchase date for order processing.

• In-store pickup is available Thursday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm.

• Please wait for your order-ready email before visiting for pickup.

RETURN & EXCHANGE POLICY:

PEM Shop accepts eligible returns within 30 days of the original purchase date. To qualify for a return, items must be in their original condition and packaging.

To initiate a return, please contact us at contactus@pem.org. Please include your order information and details about the item you wish to return. Our team will provide instructions for the return process.

Shipping Fees: Buyers are responsible for all incoming shipping charges associated with returns or exchanges, including the cost of shipping items back to PEM Shop. Original outgoing shipping charges paid at the time of purchase are non-refundable. PEM Shop does not reimburse outgoing or incoming shipping costs for returns or exchanges.

Non-Returnable Items: The following items cannot be returned or exchanged for store credit:

• Jellycat products

• Sale and clearance items

• Personal-use items, including face masks

• Food Items

• Akari Lighting

Please contact us before sending any items back to ensure your return is handled properly.