Noguchi is one of the most famous Japanese Americans and an icon for his work. We've had Akari lamps in my home from when I was a child and I just assumed everyone from Japan had them. Not until much later did I understand how influential Noguchi was.
The museum's spirit is a reflection of Isamu Noguchi (1904-88), the Japanese-American sculptor who melded Modernism with Japanese aesthetics. Although he is perhaps best known for what he called his Akari light sculptures (hanging lamps), his work encompassed many disciplines: he designed sets for the choreographers Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and George Balanchine; he created public sculptures, sculpture parks and sculpture gardens both here and abroad; and he designed furniture for Knoll and the Herman Miller Company.
The Renovated Noguchi Museum Is Friendlier but Still Discreet [nytimes.com]
I tried to visit his renovated museum in April when I visited NY, but it turned out the opening date was postponed when I was in front of it. I heard a kind of an inside information that it was supposed to open on the 1st of April. Anyway I've got at least one reason to be back to NY.