Toru Kajiwara
All A-BONSAI designs are created by Toru Kajiwara, the CEO of J-WA International Co., Ltd., who trained in the art of live bonsai at Bonsai-no-Ie, a hub in Saitama's Bonsai Town, regarded as the holy ground of Japanese bonsai. During his training, he mastered the traditional methods of bonsai cultivation.
Kajiwara studied the culture, history, and religion (particularly Zen Buddhism) from the Kamakura to Muromachi periods when Chinese “penjing evolved into Japanese bonsai, as well as the culture and history of the Edo period when bonsai was firmly established. By deeply understanding and incorporating the essence and background of traditional bonsai, not just modern bonsai, he has created A-BONSAI, a form of craft bonsai that embodies this rich legacy.
Craft bonsai created following Kajiwara's designs are handcrafted individually by art and craft bonsai artisans in Yokohama. These pieces are shaped according to the Edo bonsai style, and when viewed from below the front, they evoke the feeling of standing beneath a towering tree in nature. The design embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic infused with the spirit of Zen.
Requiring no photosynthesis or maintenance, these bonsai feature beautifully crafted black pine shapes that can be enjoyed semi-permanently indoors. Since no water or soil is used, they are hygienic and perfectly suited for dining spaces. The pots are authentic bonsai pots, adding a sense of weight and gravitas to the overall design.
Strictly speaking, this is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It faithfully recreates an Edo-style bonsai crafted as a craft bonsai. The process begins with harvesting a black pine that has survived over 50 years in the harsh conditions of a mountainous natural environment. The tree is then transplanted into a pot, pruned, and shaped to achieve its refined form.
<Main Activities>
- Development and sales of products related to Japanese traditional culture
- Development and sales of products related to Japanese traditional culture for corporate
- Collaborations with other companies
- Community contribution activities—providing relaxation and comfort to the local community