The Untamed Beauty of Tomoji Hakuno’s Kokedamas
Tomoji Hakuno, the artistic director of Aoyama Flower Market in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, creates kokedamas that are instantly recognizable. These unique plant arrangements, with their earth spheres wrapped in sculpted moss instead of traditional pots, possess a distinctive, slightly disheveled charm. A rogue orchid root might peek out, a stray strand of moss might wander astray, creating a sense of organic, untamed beauty.
Where other florists might meticulously groom their kokedamas, striving for sleek lines and a polished finish, Hakuno embraces a more natural aesthetic. "A kokedama is a bit like a living creature," he explains in his characteristically poetic way, "a little plant being."
Hakuno’s approach reflects a profound respect for the natural world. He doesn’t seek to impose rigid control but rather to guide and enhance the innate beauty of each plant. It’s a philosophy that resonates deeply with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence.
The Japanese florist arrived on Paris’s Left Bank in 2013, invited by the founders of the original Aoyama Flower Market, which had blossomed in Tokyo two decades earlier. He brought with him a unique vision and a passion for creating living art that connects people to nature.
The creation of a kokedama, for Hakuno, is a deeply personal and intuitive process. The name itself, "kokedama," translates directly from Japanese to "moss ball" (koke meaning "moss" and dama meaning "sphere"). He cherishes the moment when, having removed the plant from its original pot, he holds the bare root ball in his hands. This exposed root system, now nestled within a delicate blanket of green moss, becomes the foundation of his creation.
He shapes the moss-covered earth between his palms, he says, "like making an onigiri with rice." This intimate gesture reveals the care and attention he dedicates to each kokedama. It’s a process that demands a delicate balance – pressing firmly enough to bind the earth and moss together, yet gently enough to avoid crushing the delicate roots within. Once the sphere is formed, he carefully secures it with twine, ensuring the plant’s stability while allowing it to breathe and grow.
While some clients request the addition of miniature pinecones, Hakuno, an aesthete of the botanical world, generally prefers his kokedamas with minimal ornamentation. He believes that the plants themselves possess sufficient beauty and character, and that unnecessary adornments would only detract from their natural allure.
His vision is to capture the essence of a plant freshly plucked from a forest or meadow, made portable with only the materials found nearby. He aims to create a sense of spontaneity and naturalness, as if the kokedama had simply emerged from the earth, carrying with it the spirit of the wild.
The versatility of the kokedama is one of its most appealing qualities. According to Hakuno, virtually any plant can be transformed into a kokedama, from orchids and oxalis to ferns, succulents, pileas, and even miniature fir trees. The key is to select plants that are well-suited to the moss environment and to provide them with the appropriate care.
Once created, a kokedama requires minimal maintenance. It can be placed in a saucer, a teacup, or even a champagne flute, transforming any space into a miniature garden. Hakuno encourages his customers to observe their kokedamas daily, to appreciate the subtle changes in their growth and appearance, and to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
The lifespan of a kokedama depends on the plant itself and the care it receives. As the plant grows, it may eventually outgrow its moss sphere. When the plant begins to express a clear desire for more space, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or planted directly into a garden. This act of releasing the plant back into a larger environment symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the ongoing connection between humans and the natural world.
Hakuno’s kokedamas are more than just decorative objects; they are living works of art that embody a deep respect for nature and a commitment to beauty in its most authentic form. His creations offer a unique opportunity to bring a touch of the wild into urban environments and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of the natural world. Aoyama Flower Market, under Hakuno’s artistic direction, provides a sanctuary for plant lovers seeking not just flowers, but a connection to the soul of nature itself. The slightly disheveled moss and exposed roots are not imperfections, but rather whispers of the wild, reminding us of the untamed beauty that exists all around us.
