In 2004, the musician Kouichi Okamoto aka Bekkou designed the BEKKOU BalloonLamp inspired by the traditional Japanese Chochin lanterns, which were popular in the Edo times during 1603 and 1869. It was used as a portable light source made of paper, with a candlelight inside.


Kouichi combined this design with modern creativity and replaced the candlelight with LED light powered by a Lithium cell, and the paper with the popular balloon made of rubber.
“I wanted to make a lamp which is simple and has ‘minimum’ functions. In my opinion, life, music and design practice should consider these ’minimum’ functions - necessities, efforts, materials, form.... - what is really needed?” Kouichi Okamoto.




The light doesn’t melt the balloon because LEDs don’t generate heat. They are energy savers and spread light for a long period of time. For example, through these balloons, the LED will diffuse the light for about 100 hours as they are powered by 3 lithium-coin batteries. Light-Emitting Diodes are semiconductor diodes emitting incoherent narrow-spectrum light when electrically biased in the forward direction of the p-n junction, as in the common LED circuit, effect called electroluminescence.

One less nice aspect, to say so, is the fact that all balloons deflate after a short period of a few days so you’d have to reinflate them from time to time, but it is cool because you can use them anywhere, as they don’t require additional power sources.




There are 2 colors available for the illuminated balloons, red and white, and you can see them at the Design Boom Shop under the name BalloonLamp. They cost $30 and are made of polypropylene. The system has an On/Off switch and a valve for blowing.

You can also build a balloon chandelier using many red or white models, and change your room’s look completely.