Japanese themed designs are noted for its functional simplicity. Typical Japanese interior designs are denoted by the straight lines of wooden lattices covered with rice paper. With this, light diffusing through the rice paper provides soft illumination throughout the interior. This design style dates back to the Edo period in Japan’s history. Back then, the city of Edo was struck by fires time and again. This led to simplified architectural designs to facilitate quick and efficient rebuilding.

In keeping with traditional design forms, Japanese wall sconces of today incorporate the paper and wood lattice design in many similar yet differing styles. Haiku Designs’ Furyu Wall Sconce Lamp reflects that simple elegance characteristic of Japanese architecture. Furyu in Japanese means ‘restrained elegance’ and this is reflected in the style of the wall sconce. The natural wood finish of the latticework combined with the special Dragon Cloud Rice Paper provides the effect of soft illumination of light through rice paper as a Shoji lamp would.

Another Japanese sconce that gives the illusion of a Shoji lamp on the wall is the Bata Wall Sconce from Japanese Style Inc. Available in black or natural finish, this design fits nicely in any Japanese or Korean themed décor. Arroyo Craftsman’s Japanese influenced designs inspired by C.R. Mackintosh also keeps with the theme of elegant latticework with the exception that the panels are made out of glass instead of the traditional rice paper. There are several designs to choose from.

Breaking away from traditional Japanese design elements, wall sconces from Ambient Art and CorrieCroft.com, while made from paper, offer a fusion of modern design elements with a touch of that simplicity one expects from Japanese designs. While not truly a Japanese design, their wall sconces would still fit nicely in most Japanese themed interiors.