I found out about Aki online and his business www.nagaokameichiku.com when researching structural and decorative use of bamboo and stumbled upon art of Japanese fence making. On writing to him he mentioned an interest in floral installation and our connection and exchange was established.
After several google translate email exchanges, I set up training with him at his studio in Kameoka to west of Kyoto in Japan, receiving funding from:
- Royal Horticultural Society (travel bursary)
- The Japanese Garden Society
- DAIWA Foundation (for our exchange)
In Japan, my two weeks spent with his studio, looked like this:
Week one we worked on a floral bamboo installation alongside Lake Biwa, in creation of a giant 3.2m ball installation together which I added some flowers onto. I did not design this, but created the flowers to suit.
Week two I then spent learning how to cut and prepare bamboo, making sample bamboo fences alongside a smaller bamboo basket and ball.
Our friendship and ability to work together cemented we are seeking further installation opportunities together to continue learning from each other and spread the joy of sustainable design and combined worlds of bamboo and floral craftsmanship. Please watch this space!
Also as my reports submitted to sponsors unfurl, I look forward to sharing more information regarding this life affirming trip. Meanwhile, I leave you with a taste of the work via these series of videos _ including the foundation of all of Japanese fence work, how to tie a man’s knot. (A double man’s knot being another loop added to this, atop the original man’s knot loop.)