Thinking from the Tree's Perspective: The Harsh Reality of Indoor "Omotenashi"
I recently had the honor of attending both the first and second terms of the 100th Anniversary Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan A...
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The Pinnacle of Bonsai: Celebrating the 100th Kokufu Exhibition and the Evolution of Craft Bonsai
The number 100 carries a profound weight, representing far more than the simple passage of time; it marks the culmination of a perfected aesthetic....
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A Pine Bonsai for the East Area: Why Artificial Versions Can Still Boost Your Luck
Hello! Today, I’ve been researching interior decor for the Eastern area of the home through the lens of Xuan Kong Fei Xing (Flying Star Feng Shui),...
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[New Standard] Is the "Artificial Plants are Bad Feng Shui" Myth Outdated? 3 Reasons Why They Can Actually Boost Your Luck
When decorating your home with plants and flowers, the thought of "energy" or "luck" might cross your mind. You might wonder, "How does this fit in...
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Artisanal Pine Bonsai A New Dimension of Japanese Hospitality
In Japanese tradition, withering was seen as impurity. Since the Heian period (8th century onward), people offered handmade flowers filled with spi...
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The Ancient Japanese Belief in the Pine Tree’s Power to Ward Off Evil
Since ancient times, the Japanese have believed that pine trees possess the power to ward off evil spirits.In a previous post, I shared that becaus...
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bonsai-japan-s-ultimate-omotenashi-decor
Japan is renowned for its culture of omotenashi—hospitality from the heart. Standing at the very pinnacle of this tradition is bonsai. These miniat...
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Bonsai Breathing Zen – The Quiet Beauty and Harmony Within Japanese Aesthetics
In Japanese traditional culture, bonsai is far more than a form of horticulture. It is an art that mirrors nature, and more profoundly, a silent ph...
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The Cultural Synthesis of Japan and Rinzai Zen Buddhism
I am Kajihara, leading the planning, development, and sales of the craft bonsai brand "A-BONSAI."It is said that my family, the Kajihara clan, desc...
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From Gazing Down at Landscapes to Looking Up at Nature — The “Microcosm” of Bonsai Nurtured by Zen
What kind of image comes to mind when you hear the word bonsai?For many, it’s likely a small pot sitting quietly in a serene space, containing a ri...
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The Shift of Bonsai from “Viewing” to “Cultivating”
In the early Edo period, when bonsai culture was first established, bonsai was primarily appreciated by the upper classes—such as court nobles and ...
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Approaches to Bonsai Viewing
From a historical perspective, I have explained in another blog that the primary purpose of bonsai is appreciation. Now, I would like to explore ho...
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The intrinsic value of artistically crafted artificial flowers and trees
In modern times, many people tend to find greater value in living plants when it comes to bonsai and floral decorations, while regarding artificial...
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