“BONSAI”, an element of traditional Japanese culture, is already a global phenomenon known throughout the world. A small ornamental plant representing the beauty of nature is a form of the Japanese spirit to live together with nature in harmony. BONSAI, which is thought to have originated in Japan, was actually imported from China during the Heian period (eighth - twelfth century). It spread from court noble to samurai, and experiencd a boom with the public in the Edo period. BONSAI has recently started to realize a renewal in popularity among young people in Japan and abroad.
Kenji Kobayashi, a BONSAI artist representing Japan, has produced numerous BONSAI at his shop in the residential area of Jiyugaoka in Tokyo. It is not too much to say that most BONSAI you have seen in stylish interior shops in Japan are his pieces. He studied basic BONSAI technique “SAIKEI”, a kind of landscape design which forms a landscape of growing plants, and later established his own BONSAI style in Japan. He has said, “BONSAI is appealing to the Japanese primary spirit to enjoy and love nature by its traditional mood like “KADO” flower arrangement and “CHADO” tea ceremony. It had been thought of as a dull hobby for old men however, I wish to propose a new BONSAI style by conveying plants that fit well with not only Japanese style but also Western styles. My mission is not expressing BONSAI, but spreading the spirit of loving plants as a part of mother nature.”
Kenji Kobayashi : BONSAI artist
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1970. The head of BONSAI shop “Sinajina.” He has supervised numerous BONSAI for interior shops, department stores, exhibitions and popular TV dramas. His refined sense and solid technique to produce stylish BONSAI has been acknowledged all over Japan.
Kenji Kobayashi, a BONSAI artist representing Japan, has produced numerous BONSAI at his shop in the residential area of Jiyugaoka in Tokyo. It is not too much to say that most BONSAI you have seen in stylish interior shops in Japan are his pieces. He studied basic BONSAI technique “SAIKEI”, a kind of landscape design which forms a landscape of growing plants, and later established his own BONSAI style in Japan. He has said, “BONSAI is appealing to the Japanese primary spirit to enjoy and love nature by its traditional mood like “KADO” flower arrangement and “CHADO” tea ceremony. It had been thought of as a dull hobby for old men however, I wish to propose a new BONSAI style by conveying plants that fit well with not only Japanese style but also Western styles. My mission is not expressing BONSAI, but spreading the spirit of loving plants as a part of mother nature.”
Kenji Kobayashi : BONSAI artist
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1970. The head of BONSAI shop “Sinajina.” He has supervised numerous BONSAI for interior shops, department stores, exhibitions and popular TV dramas. His refined sense and solid technique to produce stylish BONSAI has been acknowledged all over Japan.
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