Guests

TAKAHIRO KATO

Born in 1968, Takahiro Kato, a highly cultural figure, is the last heir of the famous Kato family that has been linked to bonsai for five generations. Raised surrounded by numerous masterpieces, even millennial old (his Juniper is very famous) that have made his family the most famous in the bonsai world, after his university studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, he followed a rigorous apprenticeship under the guidance of his grandfather, the master Saburo Kato. Today, succeeding his father Hatsuji, he has taken the lead of Mansei-en – a famous nursery known on every continent, founded in 1850 before being moved to Omiya 100 years ago, in 1925 – becoming its fifth generation owner. His teaching and commitment are particularly aimed at the knowledge and spread of the artistic aspects and aesthetic appreciation of bonsai, especially through the kazari exhibition.
He collaborates with ‘Time & Style’, a furniture and goods for luxury home present in many cities, including Tokyo, Milan, Amsterdam, New York where bonsai are combined with furnishings for a fusion between modern lifestyle and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Among his prestigious positions are that of judge of the Kokufu-bonsai-ten, director of the Japan Suiseki Association and vice president of the Cooperative of Japanese Bonsai Nurseries.

Fifth generation bonsai artist

MASAYUKI FUJIKAWA

The career of Masayuki Fujikawa – born in 1973 – is studded with numerous awards, however, his interest in bonsai has gradually developed over time, going from a timid approach to making it a reason for living. Ten years as a student of the master Masahiko Kimura, have provided him with an immense wealth of experience and knowledge, which have allowed him to succeed his father in the management of Hosei-en, the family nursery that he now manages together with his wife Takako. In 2015 he was chosen, together with a group of highly selected bonsai masters such as Masahiko Kimura and Kunio Kobayashi, as a demonstrator at the ‘8^th World Bonsai Convention in Saitama’. A three-time winner at the Sakufu-ten, he won the 2017 Japanese Prime Minister’s Award for Picea jezoensis ‘Hou-ou’ – ‘Phoenix’, the 2018 Environment Minister’s Award for Tsuga diversifolia, and the 2022 Education Minister’s Award for Pinus pentaphylla. He is currently a member and director of the Nippon Bonsai Association, International Consultant of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, member of the Japan Bonsai Cooperative, of the Japan Small Bonsai Association, of the Kanto Bonsai Association, as well as member and director of the North Kanto Bonsai Association. He has travelled extensively both in Japan and abroad for demonstrations and conferences, and this has earned him great international fame, establishing himself as one of the most important and influential bonsai masters of his generation.

Bonsai artist

TAKAKO FUJIKAWA

Takako and Masayuki Fujikawa have been married since 2003. When Masayuki took over his father’s nursery, his wife’s contribution proved essential to overcoming the limitations that working alone would have entailed. Currently, she works in a team with her husband and he himself says he couldn’t do without her: “Takako is the one who takes care of the impeccable preparation of the plants, before I start applying the modeling work.” For over 20 years, Takako has been Masayuki’s irreplaceable assistant, as well as a pillar of the Fujikawa family capable of reconciling family and work with great sensitivity.

Bonsai assistent

NOBUYUKI KAJIWARA

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, he is a professional bonsai artist with a long experience. His great artistic sensitivity, the result of a lively, sensitive and creative personality, blends harmoniously with a rigorous technique, acquired in 15 years of studies and experience with the Kato family. He graduated in Japan at the University of Foreign Studies in Osaka and then moved to Holland to attend the degree course in Middle Eastern Literature. Traveling extensively between Europe, Africa and Asia, he developed his concept of the universality of art, which is beauty, whatever the form in which it is expressed and which he also applies to bonsai art. Today he has returned to Japan, but he travels frequently to hold courses and seminars in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, New Zealand. In 1991 he worked in Italy for the first time, for the preparation of the specimens of the Crespi Bonsai Museum. Since 1992 he has held the chair of bonsai art and technique teacher at the Bonsai University of Parabiago (Milan) and is curator of the Crespi Bonsai Museum.

Bonsai master, teacher of University of Bonsai and curator of Crespi Bonsai Museum

IGOR CARINO

Chief Designer, Igor Carino has worked in the most important design companies in the world such as Bertone Design, Richard Ginori and at the Italdesign-Giugiaro Group in Turin.
He attended the Bonsai Art School with the masters Hideo Suzuki and Keizo Ando and for 20 years now he dedicates himself with passion to bonsai and suiseki. He is a member of: Nippon Suiseki Association since 2014, UBI, Sakka Kyookai Europe, BCI and ESA. It creates pots for bonsai and ceramics for the table not only with traditional techniques, but also with innovative 3D ceramic printing. His approach is to innovate the world of bonsai ceramics, while respecting the tradition and culture of this ancient art. He has received several international awards and prizes, including the gold medal at the 17^th International Vase Competition at the 47^th Gafu-ten – Japan. He recently took over the Volonterio publishing house, one of the oldest in Europe that publishes books dedicated to bonsai and Japanese art.

Designer, bonsaista

EDOARDO ROSSI

Born in Padua in Italy’s Northeast in 1960, he began his career as a musician and has an intense school activity at international level. His fascinating with bonsai began in 1985 and he developed his knowledge further be attending numerous workshops with leading international masters, including: Hotsumi Terakawa, John Yoshio Naka, Susumu Nakamura, Susumu Sudō, Tomio Yamada, Kenichi Abe, Imai Chiaharu, Kunio Kobayashi, Isao Fukita and Arishige Matsuura for suiseki. In 1987 he is one of the founders of the “Euganea Bonsai Association”. He is a founder and the president’s number two of the “Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai” in Europe. He holds courses and workshops in Italy, and abroad.
He is the author of the book Kazari – The art of displaying bonsai and suiseki (English text) edited by Crespi Editori.

Bonsai artist and writer

KAZUKO KATAOKA

Born in Kobe (Japan), after commercial studies, she works for the Shiina Company, dealing with cloth decoration with the “yuzen of Kyoto” technique, which she refined under the guidance of master Shimizu Mitumi. Selected by the Japanese Handicraft Association of the New Artist in the `88, she attains a long series of awards. In 2002 she moved to Italy to present the old yuzen method through her art. She is a yuzen technique teacher at the Prato Cloth Museum. She has performed kimono exhibitions in several Italian places. She is also shodō – calligraphy – expert.

Yuzen and Shodō artist

SUSANNA MARINO

She teaches Japanese at the University of Studies Bicocca of Milan and Japanese language and culture at the High School of Linguistic Mediator of Varese. She collaborates with some foundations and cultural centers. She is president of the Italia-Asian Center and member of Aistugia. Curator and writer, she published for Zanichelli: Dictionary Italian-Japanese, Grammar practice of Japanese; Japanese writing; Mini Japanese dictionary.
She is the official translator of Crespi Bonsai.

President of Centre of Culture Italia-Asia

YOKO TAKADA 

Eclectic Japanese artist, Yoko Takada graduated in music from the University of Hiroshima where she holds a post-graduate master’s degree. She has been resident in Italy for several years now. In addition to music and singing, she is a master of Odori dance, the traditional Japanese dance. She is expert of tea ceremony, an art she learned by attending the Urasenke school from the age of 15. She has also specialized in many of the traditional Japanese artistic disciplines, as Shuji – the calligraphy – art in which she earned her 5° dan, ikebana, origami and cookery.

Singer, ceremony of tea, ikebana e Japanese dance expert

YUKIKO OKABAYASHI

Born in Kochi (Japan) in ’57, she graduated in music at the “Aichi Prefectual University of Fine Arts”. She has been living in Italy since 1984 and currently she is active in the culinary field and expert in Japanese handicraft confectionery.

Expert of Japanese pastry