Kumiko with Lights

The expression of a Kumiko design changes greatly depending on how the light

Fundamentally, it is better to illuminate it from the back side of the Kumiko rather than from the front. When the light shines from the back side of the Kumiko, it gives a sense of depth to the design and enchances the beauty of the spaces within. hen the light shines from the back side, the person standing in front of the Kumiko will see its shadow. We believe that the real beauty of Kumiko is having the sense of “wabi-sabi” from the shadows.

Lights and Kumiko

There are two types of light: “natural light” and “artificial light”.
In the past, Kumiko products were often used as shoji doors or shoin-shoji doors facing a garden with natural light in regular houses, but nowadays, Kumiko is mostly used in closed architectural spaces.
In such cases, it is necessary to set up artificial light from the back side of the Kumiko.

Kumiko beautifully illuminated by light

Box-integrated indirect lighting is easy to install, inexpensive to set up, and can beautifully illuminate Kumiko products as the “light” is illuminated inside the box. Please ask an electrician for installation.

Fluorescent LEDs are recommended because they are cheaper and the fluorescent tubes last longer. However, since the fluorescent tubes will eventually break, it is necessary to make sure that the assembly can be removed and the fluorescent tubes can be replaced (e.g. Kendon specification).
In the case of residential buildings, we recommend the use of fluorescent tubes in living rooms, entrances, and other places where guests are welcomed.
In commercial facilities, installing them in lobbies and behind counters where many people gather works very effectively.

kumiko light switch — It is convenient to put a light level adjustment dial on the switch of an electric light. You can adjust the light intensity according to the time of day, such as morning, noon, or night.
Fluorescent LEDs are recommended because they are cheaper and the fluorescent tubes last longer.

Alps mountain kumiko light — Brightness level: Low

light shadow kumiko — Interesting effects can be seen by projecting the “shadow” of the Kumiko on to the wall and floor.

Example of using indirect lighting on the back of Kumiko

Location	Project name
Tokyo	Hotel The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Kanagawa	Ganjo-ji
Tokyo	CLUB ren
Toyama	Imizu Shinto shrine
Korea	Japanese Restaurant. 「KISARA」