The spirit of washi in daily life Soft colors and special textures Living spaces and decoration Lighting fixtures , Shoji , Fusuma and Karakami Woodblock prints , Kakejiku Lighting fixtures Washi, which transmits both light and air, has been used as a material in lighting devices since ancient times. As light passes through the paper's warm white fibers, it is softened in intensity to become a gentle, comfortable illumination. Modern lighting equipment with designs modeled after such traditional paper-covered lanterns as andon (wooden standing lamps) and bonbori (portable candle lanterns) coordinate well with today's residences, and the gentle illumination transmitted through the washi produces a warm atmosphere. All images Copyright. 1997 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.