Haruka's Light: A Drama that illuminates the essence of light
- Yuichiro Noguchi
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
Haruka's Light (Haruka no Hikari) is a television drama broadcast on NHK Educational TV from February 8 to March 8, 2021. It tells the story of Haruka, a young woman who becomes captivated by the world of iconic lighting design.
Growing up as the daughter of a fisherman in Miyagi, Haruka lost her home and many friends in the Great East Japan Earthquake. Her once cheerful mother, known for her jokes and laughter, fell silent. "Why did we survive?" she would say.
One year later, as Haruka continued her quiet life in temporary housing, her father returned from his first fishing trip since the disaster. The glow of the fishing lights reflecting across the dark sea that night brought Haruka an overwhelming sense of salvation.
Eventually, she moved to Tokyo and discovered a lighting shop filled with masterpieces. There, she encountered a light that captivated her heart and began working at the store.
"Customers who say, ‘Any light will do,’ are not welcome here."
Instead, she devoted herself to those truly seeking light, helping them overcome struggles and enrich their lives through illumination. Each day, unique and colourful visitors came to the shop, each with their own stories. Through these encounters, Haruka, a self-proclaimed lighting nerd — shared the beauty of light and, in turn, brought "light" back into people's lives. And through them, she too began to heal and rediscover hope.
Recently, a young woman who expressed interest in working at our company told me she was surprised to learn that lighting stores like the one in Haruka's Light actually exist. Her comment brought back vivid memories of when the drama first aired. At the time, I had been in contact with our partners at YAMAGIWA, who invited me to visit just as we were reopening our own showroom, IN THE LIGHT. I remember being amazed by the coincidence.
The drama portrays the emotional struggles of the people who visit the shop, rather than focusing solely on the lighting itself. Still, the cinematography — with its nuanced play of light and shadow — reminded me that the true essence of lighting lies in creating atmosphere.
"AKARI is not a symbol of status or authority. Regardless of wealth, it represents the refinement of life, enriching our surroundings and filling every world with light."
This line from Episode 3 refers to Isamu Noguchi's AKARI series. With its soft light and graceful form, AKARI brings warmth and tranquillity to any space, enriching everyday life. Its influence transcends class, culture, and geography — embodying light as a universal language of comfort and joy.
The final episode features the PH Lamp by Danish designer Poul Henningsen, often called "the father of modern lighting."
In Scandinavia, where summers bring endless twilight and winters are long and dark, people have long sought ways to make their homes bright and cosy. In the early 1920s, when artificial light was still scarce, Henningsen set out to design lighting that offered both beauty and functionality, creating environments where workers and families alike could live with dignity and comfort.
"My lamps are not works of art."
This quote captures Henningsen's philosophy perfectly. At a time when chandeliers symbolized wealth and luxury, he saw lighting as a tool — something that should support everyday life with both efficiency and grace. His mission was to advance lighting design scientifically, balancing hygiene, economy, and aesthetics.
The origins of IN THE LIGHT trace back to around 2018. A friend in interior design had just opened a curtain showroom, which inspired us — then an electrical contracting company — to create a lighting showroom of our own. Back then, when designing lighting for new homes, clients would simply pick from catalogues without ever seeing the actual fixtures. You could only imagine how the finished space might look.
We began gradually renovating our office space, adding a few classic lamps at a time. But one night, as I looked at the store from outside, I realized that the bright white walls and ceiling made the room feel flat — the lights hanging there seemed lifeless. That’s when I decided we needed a full renovation to truly express the beauty of light.
Instead of using white walls or the industrial concrete style that's currently popular, I drew inspiration from my family home built in the late 1960s. The living room was full of rich textures, wood veneer, fabric panels, ceramic tiles, stone floors. These materials are rarely used today, but I believed that combining them with modern design could create something entirely new.
The contractors were surprised when we ordered large amounts of veneer and tile, materials now considered "outdated." But once installed, they revealed their magic. When light hits veneer, the wood grain deepens, emphasizing its natural beauty. The uneven glaze of tiles gains warmth and richness. Unlike vinyl or resin, natural materials like wood and stone interact with light — they breathe with it, creating depth and emotion.
Like the store in Haruka's Light, IN THE LIGHT features large street-facing glass windows. At night, passersby often stop, captivated by the glow spilling out onto the street. There's no concern for brands or status — only the pure beauty of light itself.
In our age of material abundance, these iconic lighting pieces might appear as symbols of luxury. Yet, as both Noguchi and Henningsen believed, lighting is not about wealth; it is a tool for living better, born from thoughtfulness and care.
Now more than ever, we should reflect on what true richness means. Perhaps it lies not in owning more, but in surrounding ourselves with things that illuminate both our spaces and our hearts.
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