Hanami began life in Japan in 2003 with the desire to improve the look and feel of a fluorescent light source. The initial design (version 1.0) incorporates plastic advertising fan skeletons as structural components. These types of fans are common in Japan in the summer when they are freely distributed by companies advertising their products and services. Other additional components, each hand-crafted by LRD, completes the work.

In Japanese Hanami means 'flower viewing'. The term refers mainly to cherry blossom viewing in the spring, which is often accompanied by hanami parties between friends, families and colleagues. From certain angles Hanami can be seen to resemble a flower similar to a cherry blossom in structure. In addition it's light and airy design is also intended to evoke feelings associated with an event such as an hanami party.

Early prototypes of Hanami have been shown on several occasions since 2007 in international exhibitions such as the 2007 Singapore Design Festival, the 2008 St Etienne International Design Biennale in France and 2009 DesignTide in Tokyo. As a result it has been featured extensively in the media most notably in Marie Claire Maison magazine, April 2009 - see the press section for details.