Compared with Bonsai which needs the dignity and time, Kokedama gains the popularity among young women by the easiness. Michiko Hanazawa, Hanazawa Myoshunen bonsai garden in Takamatsu’s Kinashi town, proposes a new enjoyable Kokedama Making with her young sensibility.

Play Figures

Hanazawa exhibited Kokedama expressed the figures from 0 to 9 in the Flower Festival in Takamatsu in February this year and they achieved popularity.

She noticed the enjoyable expression to arrange the shape like the figures and the alphabets when she had wired a young Kuromatsu and made Kokedama. She challenged soon and finished a good work like a figure. The shape like heart is also her favorite.

Kokedama is growing but the shapes like the figures and heart can be kept. The keys are keeping the thickness and the length with the minimum fertilizer.

She finished Kokedama expressed some of the alphabets. Using them, “WELCOME” can be written. It will be the nice display in your entrance.

Transplanting Unnecessary

Kokedama using Sanyaso and Bonsai can be enjoyed for a long time. The cares are easy and it is unnecessary to cut. As time goes by, it will be a good shape by itself.

Flower trees like a cherry blossom can be used for making Kokedama. Kokedama of Keio-zakura (Japanese Flowering Cherry) is in full bloom in the beginning of March. If you don’t cut the roots, the blooming trees can be used. You can enjoy it except the hot summer and cold winter.

Hanazawa Myoshunen bonsai garden welcomed the nice visitors one day. A Kagawa’s mascot character “Ao oni kun” and an Okayama’s one “Momocchi” came here and enjoyed Kokedama making together. The garden gives a big welcome to visitors including ones like them.

She teaches how to make Kokedama. In her lesson, you can use your own tree.

(By Shigeo Hano)