Hand Crafted Tradition

ASANO Co., Ltd. a maker of traditional Gifu "chochin" (lanterns) since 1917, started the "Lx. Project" in 2003, inspired by Andrea Branzi, who visited Gifu in 1998 and later collaborated with the company in making the Oribe Award trophy (a washi-paper trophy shaped like a Japanese house). The project aims to re-invent the value of "akari" (light) in daily life and also blend modern design with traditional Gifu lantern-making techniques.
A number of designers have joined the Lx. Project, including Jasper Morrison, who was attracted to the project because of his interest in Japan’s anonymous design and his respect for Isamu Noguchi, a renowned sculptor. Mr. Morrison, who developed "The porcini family" product line, commented, "I recognized that the simpler you want to make products, the more important the skill of the craftsmen becomes; their skills need to be mature and they must have delicacy and sensitivity when making a product." Lx. Co., Ltd. hopes that the products made under the project are representative of the full potential that traditional Japanese arts and crafts can offer.