I started making Bonsai when…
I came across this book at a Tsutaya book store in Kyoto. At that time, I was working as an English speaking tour guide and I’ve always wanted to find some kind of business that I could express my creativity. When I flipped through this book, I was first of all, amazed by the beauty of Terutoshi Iwai’s works. Unlike a traditional Bonsai, the pots were really tiny and rather than emphasizing the sturdiness or the strength of a tree, his Bonsais really captured the fresh, young energy of a tree. What I also realized was that these pots he used (Japanese antique pottery) were abundant in Kyoto and gave me the inspiration to make these mini-bonsais myself.
I’ve started by collecting some of these Japanese antique pottery at markets held at temples/shrines like Toji and Kitanotenmangu. Most of these potteries were originally made for drinking sake and so they would have some elaborate decorations, usually sold at a cheap price because not many people drink Sake these days. Once I’ve collected about a dozen or two, I would take it to a nearby workshop to drill holes on the bottom with a diamond crust drill. For the plants, I would collect seeds or potential bonsai material from the wild and since I had a dog at the time, I could collect these materials while I walked my dog.
Right now, I’m not making any new mini-bonsais because I’m planning to move to Tokyo in the near future and my job got pretty intense but I would like to pursuit bonsais as a hobby/job and create bonsais that are aimed for artistic purposes. Below are some of my creation as Kotora Bonsai.
YAMA
A pot/bonsai I’ve made called Yama, inspired by the Nawagarami of the Gion Festival. This is not something I’ve made for sale but a personal project I’ve made for myself.
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
KIRIKABU
This is another pot I’ve made with a piece of tree that was cut down in front of my house. I’ve planted some purple flowers and put a type of vine around to give the tree a second life.
