takafumi nemoto plants bonsai-style knitted fragrance sticks

enriched in japanese tradition, takafumi nemoto presents knitted fragrance sticks, arranged as bonsai trees, at IMM cologne 2018. the project explores three culturally rich themes that are attributed to the asian country; knitting, fragrances, and bonsai plants.

all images courtesy of takafumi nemoto

named ‘bonsay’, the design’s knitting process is deemed auspicious as it literately and figuratively links the past to the success of the future. furthermore, when crafted into their tree shapes, the room fragrances also act as symbols for a bright future as the sticks are considered to be lucky charms in traditional japanese philosophy. 

initially shown at ambiente 2017, takafumi nemoto‘s garden of knitted fragrance sticks have grown to include different prototype designs at IMM cologne 2018’s ‘pure talent’ exhibition. in a selection of shapes or typologies of tree species, ‘bonsay’ are decorative pieces composed of complicated, creative, and custom knots that are hand-made from natural materials. their pots below function with either 100 or 200 ml of fragrance.