Bonsai is Japan’s unique horticultural art which recreates natural landscapes by growing trees, plants, and flowers in small pots. In order to express beauty by meticulously growing and trimming bonsai, daily care as well as highly sophisticated skills, such as watering, pruning, and branch adjustment, are required. However, RE BONSAI has succeeded in drawing out the potential of bonsai as an art form by reinterpreting the concept of traditional bonsai in an innovative way.

Withered bonsai are infused with a new life

A particularly notable thing about RE BONSAI is that it does not require maintenance at all. Unlike conventional bonsai, RE BONSAI picks out withered bonsai, removes the earth and dries them, and prunes their branches and roots carefully. Next, the bonsai are decorated with uniquely dried leaves and preserved leaves and branches while ensuring a harmony between the traditional stateliness and modern elements.

They come in a variety of colors

RE BONSAI also places great importance on consideration for the environment. Resurrection of withered bonsai itself becomes an environment-friendly effort, as it makes use of the lives of plants to their fullest extent. Moreover, it does not require water, helping save resources. It could be a new way of passing down traditional culture.

A contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Japanese culture

The motto of Yoshio Suzuki, the founder and the creative director of RE BONSAI, is “Pursue what I think is cool and give shape to what I want to do.” With a superb sense of color that he acquired through a painting business and with a deep understanding of Japanese culture that he gained through bonsai, he has established a unique way of expression which gives his art pieces the textures and colors that make them look alive.

A RE BONSAI piece planted in a skull pot

TOUFU TOKYO, which opened in Airport Mall on the 4th floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 on October 31, 2024, not only showcases and sells RE BONSAI products, but also carries a wide variety of other items such as traditional Japanese crafts and contemporary goods with sophisticated designs. The shop is in the area before you go into the international departure screening area, so make sure to stop by before your flight if you are interested.

■DATA TOUFU TOKYO Location: Airport Mall on the 4th floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 (before going into the international departure screening area) Business hours: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. https://toufu.tokyo/ (Information as of November 2024)

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