Fusion Flowers Magazine

The work of this highly talented young man first came to our attention in the first international floral art annual produced in Belgium.  Naoki won the gold leaf award and his work took the panel of judges by storm because, on occasion, it was hard to imagine just how he had managed to achieve the results.  I can attest to this because – I was on the judging panel that year.

In his new book, Japanese Contemporary Floral Art, Naoki reveals yet more of his stunning design work and indeed some of his personal philosophy.  This book is clearly not aimed at the mainstream, commercial florist but is more for the purist, the floral artist and contemporary designer.  Some of the work is truly outstanding and there is clear evidence of current trends within the master level of japanese design.

It’s actually hard to imagine Naoki working in a commercial florist shop – but – apparently he does albeit the family business!  For me, some of the most outstanding pieces of work that are featured include the broken continuing line designs where separate containers are used to convey the illusion that a branch is intact which is in fact segmented – stunning and certainly potentially useful in a corporate environment.  but it is his suspended table concept supported on entwined branches that pulled me back time and again to view what is in effect – a work of true genius.

Highly recommended for the specialist reader.