A Special Celebration of KOTORI's 20th Anniversary

20 Years of Light, Craftsmanship and Gratitude

 

Born in 2006, KOTORI celebrates its 20th anniversary this December.

Created from the materials and techniques of traditional Japanese umbrellas, KOTORI brings a new expression of light into everyday spaces.

The name KOTORI was inspired by the image of a little bird taking flight, reflecting our hope that this small light would travel from Kyoto to the world.

And that is exactly what it has done.

Over the past 20 years, KOTORI has crossed borders and found its way into homes, shops, hotels and other spaces around the world. Along the way, it has brought us many wonderful encounters with people who appreciate its unique craftsmanship and design.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has welcomed KOTORI into their spaces and supported us throughout this journey.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to preserving the techniques and materials of traditional Japanese umbrella-making, while creating lights that can be enjoyed and cherished for years to come.

KOTORI 20th Anniversary Campaign

To celebrate 20 years of KOTORI, we are pleased to offer a special anniversary promotion at the Hiyoshiya online shop and our Kyoto store.

Campaign Period

December 1 (Tue) – December 14 (Mon), 2026

*Our physical store is closed on weekends and Japanese public holidays. Online orders can be placed throughout the campaign period.

Eligible Products

KOTORI lighting collection

*Only the products listed at the bottom of this page are eligible for the promotion.

Special Offer

20% OFF the Regular Price

For online purchases, enter the coupon code below at checkout:

“ＫＯＴＯＲＩ２０ＴＨ”.

Where to Shop

• Hiyoshiya Official Online Shop
• Hiyoshiya Main Store

546 Momomachi, Terauchi-dori Horikawa Higashi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0072

Delivery Information

KOTORI products are made to order.

Orders placed during the campaign are scheduled to be shipped by the end of December 2026.

Please note that delivery dates may vary depending on production and shipping conditions.

 

About KOTORI

KOTORI was born in 2006.

At its heart are the materials and techniques of traditional Japanese umbrella-making: bamboo, Japanese washi paper, and the skills developed by generations of craftsmen.

We reimagined these traditional elements as contemporary lighting, bringing the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship into everyday life.

 

For us, craftsmanship means more than preserving traditional techniques. It also means continually exploring how they can meet the needs of modern life.

With this in mind, we have continued to explore new possibilities for traditional umbrella-making, creating lighting that blends naturally into contemporary spaces.

 

“Tradition Is a Continuing Evolution.”

This philosophy lies at the heart of Hiyoshiya's approach to craftsmanship, and KOTORI is one of the brands that embodies it.

20 Years of KOTORI: A Journey Through Time

Since its launch in 2006, KOTORI has reached audiences both in Japan and around the world.

Over the years, the collection has received numerous design awards and has been featured in a wide range of projects, from retail and hospitality spaces to international exhibitions and creative collaborations.

 

2004

• Began developing lighting products using traditional Japanese umbrella-making techniques.

 

2006

• December 1: KOTORI officially launched.

Brand Producer: Akihiko Shimada, President & CEO, CLIP Inc.

Lighting Designer: Hiroshi Nagane, President, Tokyo Design Party

Coordinator: Sayaka Ono, Tokyo Design Party

 

2007

• Received the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner's Special Award at the Good Design Awards for KOTORI (Japan Institute of Design Promotion).

 

 

• Selected for the New Japanese Style 100 Selection (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / New Japanese Style Council).

• Received the Encouragement Award at the Japan Shop System Awards (Japan Shop System Association).

• Created a custom KOTORI lighting installation for Hotel The Screen, Kyoto.

 

2008

• Made its debut at Maison&Objet, Paris, France. (Participated in multiple subsequent editions.

 

 

• First exhibited at ambiente, Frankfurt, Germany. (Participated in multiple subsequent editions.)

 

 

• Invited to exhibit at TENDENCE, Frankfurt, Germany.

• Received the FORM# AUSGEZEICHNETE PRODUKTE Award (Excellence Award) for KOTORI, presented by the German Crafts Association and Messe Frankfurt.

 

2009

• Made its first appearance at ICFF, New York, USA.

• MOTO, a lighting collection developed from KOTORI, received the Good Design Award.

 

Design：miyake design Kazushige Miyake

 

2010

• Selected for the Kansai Design Selection for KOTORI (Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry).

• First exhibited at 100% Design Shanghai, China.

• First exhibited at Light + Building, Frankfurt, Germany. (Participated in multiple subsequent editions.)

 

2011

• MOTO, developed from KOTORI, received the iF Product Design Award.
• First participated in Milan Design Week (FuoriSalone), Italy. (Participated in multiple subsequent editions.)

 

2014

• Created a chandelier for The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, applying the techniques and craftsmanship of KOTORI.

 

2021

• Developed PEACOCK LAMP through IOK (Inspiration of Kyoto), applying techniques developed for KOTORI. The project was presented at exhibitions in Japan and overseas and received the La French Design Award.

 

Design：ELSA POCHAT

 

2023

• Made its first appearance at Find Design Fair Asia, Singapore. (Participated in multiple subsequent editions.)

• Invited to exhibit at IFAM, Santa Fe, USA.

 

2024

• At Shiseido Ginza's exhibition "ARU BI" (The Beauty of Being), a window installation incorporating traditional Japanese umbrella-making and KOTORI techniques received several international awards:Red Dot Grand Prix, KUKAN DESIGN AWARD – Grand Prix, FRAME Awards 2024 – Window Display of the Year, ADC Annual Awards, 103rd Edition, New York – Bronze

Creative Direction : Yoji Nobuto (SHISEIDO CREATIVE)
Art Direction : Yukihiro Kaneuchi (SHISEIDO CREATIVE)
Design : Aki Ito, Tomoki Nabeta (HAKUTEN CREATIVE)
Technical ： Yuto mitani（HAKUTEN CREATIVE）Tomohiro akagawa（A-KAK）
Produced by : Seishiro Tate (HAKUTEN CREATIVE)
Construction : Kohei Kumazaki, Kaiki Shingu, (HAKUTEN CREATIVE)
Photo : Masayuki hayashi
Movie : Ippei suzuki

 

2025

• Launched the KOTORI Washi Collection, featuring traditional Japanese paper with a distinctive water-drop texture.

 

 

• Invited to exhibit at The Saudi International Handicrafts Week, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

• Exhibited at the France Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, in "Dialogue of Light and WASHI – Exhibition, Workshop & Craftsmanship."

 

Produced by： Céline Write

 

2026

• Celebrating the 20th anniversary of KOTORI.

The Story Behind KOTORI

The inspiration for KOTORI came from an everyday moment in Hiyoshiya's umbrella workshop.

Traditional Japanese umbrellas are finished through a process called tenpiboshi, in which the oil applied to the washi paper is dried and cured in sunlight.

One day, while checking the finish of an umbrella against the light, Hiyoshiya's fifth-generation owner, Kotaro Nishibori, noticed something remarkable.

Light passing through the washi paper and delicate bamboo framework created a soft, beautiful glow.

This simple observation sparked an idea: what if the traditional Japanese umbrella could become a source of light?

The first attempts involved combining a conventional umbrella with a lighting element. A new direction emerged after Nishibori met brand producer Akihiko Shimada, representative of CLIP, at an industry networking event.

Through Shimada, he was introduced to lighting designer Nagane of Tokyo Design Party.

As their conversations developed, they discovered a shared desire to bring traditional craftsmanship into a new context.

The designer proposed a cylindrical form, while the umbrella craftsman wanted to preserve the ingenious structure of a traditional Japanese umbrella.

By bringing these two perspectives together, they developed a completely new type of Japanese lighting.

This collaboration gave birth to KOTORI.

 

 

Light Created Through Traditional Japanese Umbrella-Making

KOTORI brings together the distinctive materials, structure and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese umbrellas in a contemporary lighting design.

 

The Structure of a Japanese Umbrella

Like a traditional Japanese umbrella, KOTORI's framework is made from carefully prepared bamboo.

Individual bamboo ribs are connected with cotton thread, creating a unique structure inspired by the opening and closing mechanism of a traditional umbrella.

The Beauty of Washi Paper

Washi is traditional Japanese paper known for being lightweight, flexible and surprisingly durable.

Its natural texture gently diffuses light, creating a soft, even glow that brings warmth and calm to a space.

 

The Hands of the Craftsman

Each bamboo rib is carefully assembled, and the washi paper is applied by hand.

Every piece is finished using the skills and techniques developed through generations of traditional Japanese umbrella-making.

Behind each KOTORI light is the knowledge, precision and dedication of our craftsmen.

 

 

From Kyoto to the World

Today, KOTORI is available not only in Japan but also in more than 15 countries around the world.

What began as a small lighting experiment in a traditional umbrella workshop in Kyoto has found its place in a variety of spaces across different cultures and countries.

Through KOTORI, we hope to share the beauty of Japanese materials and craftsmanship with people everywhere.

 

 

With Gratitude for 20 Years

Twenty years have passed since KOTORI was first introduced in 2006.

To everyone who has chosen KOTORI, welcomed it into their homes and spaces, and supported us along the way, we offer our heartfelt thanks.

We will continue to draw on the materials and techniques of traditional Japanese umbrella-making, exploring new possibilities while creating lights that people can enjoy for many years to come.

Thank you for being part of the KOTORI journey.