PARCHMENT From Japan, Now Sold in New York

Hiro Odaira, an architect trained in Tokyo, shown far left, designs and sells lamps (starting at $350) and wall hangings made from washi, Japanese handmade parchment, which sells for $50 to $100 a square foot. Until now, when his clients have asked if they could buy more of the parchment, he has said no, since his favorite kind, made by the Kobo studio in northern Japan, was not available in the New York area. But last month he opened Precious Pieces, that sells 20 patterns of Kobo parchment – including Ame, shown on the table, which alternates solid bands of parchment with see-through bands of thin strips of fiber, and Mado, left, which is made with asymmetrical holes. Mr. Odaira sells sheets of parchment, lamps, wall hangings and cards at the shop. He can also order the parchment in custom sizes, including pieces as large as 30 by 100 feet, which take two years to make.

Precious Pieces, (212) 682-8505. precious-piece.com.

ELAINE LOUIE