Sonnenglas Japan, a distributor of solar lanterns produced under fair trade in South Africa, has newly launched “Sonnenglas® EN.” This innovative product combines a solar-powered light unit lit by sunlight, with a lantern shade made by artisans using the traditional Japanese craft technique of Suruga bamboo basketry.

The “Sonnenglas® SOMO” solar lighting unit, powering this lantern, is a next-generation module developed by Sonnenglas. Handcrafted in their South African workshop under fair trade principles, it aims to create job opportunities and stable employment. This compact, palm-sized unit charges purely with sunlight without any electricity usage, provides up to 100 hours of illumination on a single charge, making it ideal for outdoor activities and emergency preparedness. The exquisite lantern shade is made by Miyabi Andon in Shizuoka Prefecture, who produces lifestyle items such as lighting fixtures, tea ceremony utensils and flower vases. Using the traditional Suruga bamboo basketry technique, they carefully weave thin bamboo strips around 1 mm in width with exceptional craftsmanship.

The “Sonnenglas® EN” is a next-generation lighting fixture that blends beautifully into Japanese-style spaces while embodying sustainability. This innovative product also contributes to the preservation of traditional crafts for future generations, promote environmental consciousness, and help address social challenges. It is now available for purchase at the official online store.

◾️Product information
Product name: Sonnenglas® EN
Material: Bamboo, walnut (bottom), SOMO Solar Light (solar module)
Charging method: Solor charging / USB-C charging compatible
Lighting time: Approximately 30 hours under normal use (up to approximately 100 hours when set lightness to 5lm)
Online store: https://sonnenglas.jp/