Container: 40cm x 40cm x 40cm Stoneware Clay Pot;
Source: ;

Style: Tanuki;
Height: 120cm;
Width: 120cm;
Nebari: 28cm;

This Juniperus horizontalis began its journey as a tree nearly abandoned. Its original owner, a friend of the artist, saw little potential in the straight, rigid trunk and limited movement. What appeared at first glance to be a constrained and unpromising specimen became instead an opportunity—a challenge that aligned perfectly with the artist’s developing interest in Tanuki techniques.

Embracing this challenge, the artist sculpted a new trunk, carefully carving it to create an expressive line that matched his own aesthetic vision. This living–deadwood composition gave the juniper a renewed sense of life and presence, transforming its once-static form into a flowing, dynamic structure. Over the following years, the branches and foliage were shaped with a naturalistic philosophy, allowing the pads and green masses to settle into a composition that feels organic, harmonious, and rooted in the logic of nature.

The pot—designed and handmade by the artist from stoneware clay—plays an important role in the final image. Measuring 40 × 40 × 40 cm, it reflects a deliberate approach to proportion: the use of square forms as the guiding visual principle. These geometric relationships support the tree’s large stature and refined silhouette, helping the entire composition to feel stable and balanced.

Standing 120 cm tall and 120 cm wide, with a nebari measuring 28 cm in diameter, this bonsai makes a bold and architectural statement. The interplay of sculpted trunk, natural foliage, and thoughtful container design results in a composition that merges technical skill with artistic interpretation.

Today, this juniper is not only a testament to the transformation of an overlooked tree but also to the creative possibilities that arise when craftsmanship, vision, and philosophy converge.