The WA Lamp Gives Tokyo Train Parts a Second Life

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At first glance, WA might look like just another modern lamp – sleek, sculptural, and quietly contemporary. But hidden within its glowing rings is a piece of Tokyo’s rich history. Each ring was once part of a train strap handle on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line 8500, gripped by thousands of daily commuters before the series retired in 2023. Now, London-based design studio Akasaki & Vanhuyse has reimagined those resin rings as a limited-edition table lamp, turning the everyday gesture of holding on during a rush-hour ride into a luminous reminder of the city’s past.

Around 1,400 reclaimed resin rings was collected for the purpose of this project, resulting in a limited edition run of only 150 WA lamps. Each one is built from nine rings, stacked to form a gently glowing shade that filters light through the small gaps. Marks from years of use – scratches, dents, and subtle surface wear – have been preserved, creating a unique crackle-like effect that could never be replicated with the same unique context. The rings are held in place by mirrored stainless steel legs, giving the lamp both structure, sheen, and a touch of polish. Compact in size at just under 8 inches tall and weighing 2.65 pounds, WA is designed as a modest, modern fixture that celebrates a part of Tokyo.

A modern table lamp with a layered, cylindrical design emits soft light on a wooden table in front of vertical blinds

white train strap with resin ring

A front-facing view of a vintage electric train on railway tracks, with overhead power lines and buildings in the background, in black and white

Photo: ©TOKYU CORPORATION

Black and white photo of passengers sitting on both sides of a subway train car; advertising posters hang from the ceiling above them

Photo: ©TOKYU CORPORATION

Empty train carriage with rows of brown seats and white hand straps hanging from the ceiling, facing closed double doors at the end of the car

A modern table lamp with a coiled, white ceramic design sits on a light wooden table beside wooden chairs and a decorative bowl

Sustainability is woven into every stage of WA’s design. Beyond reusing train parts, the rings were sandblasted for a durable matte finish without erasing their history, while all metal elements are crafted from rust-resistant stainless steel to ensure longevity. The lamp was designed with end-of-life in mind, allowing for easy disassembly of its components. Even the packaging reflects this ethos: recyclable paper with an aluminum vapor coating replaces typical plastic films. Together, these choices highlight a commitment to timeless design that extends the lifespan of both the object and the story it tells.

A coiled white lamp with metal supports and a clear cord sits on a gray wooden table with rounded edges against a plain gray background

Close-up of a reflective silver box corner with "EDITION" printed on the side and "109/150" handwritten on the face

Close-up of a stack of white, circular discs held together by vertical metal rods with screws, against a plain background

A close-up of a cylindrical object made of stacked white rings secured with vertical metal brackets and screws against a plain background

A cylindrical table lamp with horizontal white rings, metal legs, and a visible bulb glows warmly on a gray surface. A power cord extends from the base

A modern wooden dining table with matching chairs, a sculptural white lamp, and a framed abstract artwork on the wall

A modern cylindrical lamp with horizontal metal rings emits a warm light on a gray floor near a concrete pillar and large industrial windows

To learn more about the WA lamp by Akasaki & Vanhuyse, visit akasakivanhuyse.com.

Photography courtesy of Akasaki & Vanhuyse, unless otherwise noted.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.





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