1st edition Akari Model D Floor Lamp by Isamu Noguchi, 1951

A first-edition Akari model L7 pendant lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi and manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Gifu, Japan. The shade features an elongated, geometric form composed of stacked diamond-like sections with a square-profile base. This early production example is distinguished by the hand-painted red "sun and moon" logo and the specific density of the bamboo ribbing. The structure utilizes a internal wire frame to maintain its vertical tension. This specific model is an early iteration of Noguchi’s "light sculptures" and is increasingly scarce in its original 1950s first-edition state.

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was a Japanese-American artist whose career spanned six decades. Known for his ability to bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics, he integrated organic materials with industrial forms. His Akari series, begun in 1951, transformed the traditional Japanese Gifu lantern into a staple of modern interior design, viewing them as portable sculptures rather than mere home furnishings.