A traditional form of Japanese sculpture is being recreated in an English garden for the first time.
Expert Masa Suzuki has carved an artwork into a tree at Wakehurst Place, near Haywards Heath, the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The sculpture is believed to be the first tachigi-bori sculpture in Britain. It is supported by a grant from the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, which was established in 1988 to foster closer links between Britain and Japan.
Wakehurst visitors have been intrigued to see the work in progress on the cedar tree and have been stopping to chat to Masa to find out more about the project.
For Masa, who initially trained in Japan before carrying out postgraduate studies in London, spending weeks living and working on the Wakehurst estate has been a unique experience.
Masa said: “I have felt very connected to nature here, surrounded by birds and other wildlife.”
Andrew Jackson, head of Wakehurst Place, said: “We have been delighted to welcome Masa to Wakehurst and it has been really interesting to see his work taking shape. The sculpture adds a new chapter to the tree’s history, following the damage it suffered in the great storm, and we are hope visitors will enjoy discovering this piece of art as they explore the estate.”
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