• Ryo crafts handmade lanterns using a historic 18th century process
• His materials are bamboo, thread, washi paper and wheat glue
• Through collaborations with artists and brands, he develops new forms and ideas

Ryo Kojima is the tenth-generation craftsman leading Kojima Shoten, a historic lantern workshop in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. The workshop specialises in the painstaking and careful Kyo-Jibari style of making. “It is a slower process, but allows us to apply thicker paper so we can create a more durable lantern,” he says. Rooted in techniques dating back to the late 18th century, Ryo handcrafts each lantern using only natural materials: split bamboo for the frame, washi paper made from mulberry bark and wheat-based glue. While preserving tradition, Ryo actively explores new contemporary contexts for these traditional objects, often collaborating with other artists and brands. From their ancient role guiding ancestral spirits during Obon to their modern presence in contemporary spaces, the workshop’s lanterns shine a warm, welcoming light in the modern world.