yakisugi
flower vessels
Discipline: Woodwork
tomonoshi!
Yakisugi Flower
Vessels
Hand-carved from found material, each TOMONOSHi! yakisugi flower vessel transforms fallen wood into something purposeful and profound. Designed to hold a single test tube and one flower, these vessels celebrate the beauty of simplicity and intentionality. They invite us to focus on a singular bloom, much like the bees that devote their attention to one flower at a time—Bees embody a profound way of interacting with the world—one rooted in focus, patience, and reverence. In their tireless work of gathering nectar, they teach me a lesson in mindful presence.
A bee does not flit aimlessly between blooms; instead, it dedicates itself wholly to one flower at a time, extracting its essence with quiet devotion. This singular attention transforms an ordinary act into something extraordinary—each flower is seen, honored, and nurtured for what it uniquely offers.
In life and art, I find wisdom in this approach. The philosophy of the bee invites me to slow down and engage deeply with the present moment. It reminds me that richness lies not in abundance, but in the quality of my attention. This idea is reflected in my yakisugi flower vessels, which invite the experience of a single flower with the same intentionality—a reminder that beauty and connection are found in simplicity.
The bee’s focused interactions are also a metaphor for balance and harmony. By giving each flower its moment, bees ensure that life thrives collectively, one bloom at a time. Similarly, my vessels encourage a relationship with nature that is thoughtful and reciprocal—a quiet yet powerful act of mindfulness in a fast-paced world.
The flame I use in the yakisugi process mirrors this philosophy as well. Just as the bee’s visits transform the flower, the flame serves as a catalyst for rebirth, breathing new life into the oak and transforming it into a symbol of renewal.
The TOMONOSHi! Bee Philosophy, offers a way to create and curate spaces that embrace balance, harmony, and connection, allowing a flower to be seen and loved as deeply as it deserves.
These vessels are more than objects; they are an invitation to mindfulness, balance, and contemplation. With their imperfect forms and minimalist design, they emphasize subtraction—a philosophy that removes the unnecessary to intensify the presence of the flower and the surrounding space. They awaken the imagination, harmonizing the raw beauty of nature with human creativity, and create an instant connection between Mother Nature and our indoor environments.
The TOMONOSHi! yakisugi flower vessels are not made to decorate but to inspire—a call to experience the singular beauty of a flower with the same love and intention as a bee. They stand as symbols of mindful living, harmony, and the art of being present.
ayame
one bloom, one moment,
held in flamed-kissed imperfection,
time slow to honor.
Rin
flame blessed falling woods,
charred wood whispers old stories,
beauty born of ash.
YOKO
let the flower bloom,
please, let the flower die slow,
where tears fall seeds grow.
souta
fire jumping up,
fire jumping all around,
in fire wood drowns.
sakura
angry flames whisper,
wood softens, curves embracing,
a bloom finds its home,
suzu
a fleeting embrace,
wind sways love upon the stem,
petals kiss the ash.
haruka
reach for burning sun,
oranges, reds, yellows flicker,
reborn when it’s done.
miyu
scorched yet still alive,
burned edges hold tender roots,
ash is place to bloom.
reina
lean closer to light,
flowers cling at fleeting warmth,
breath held in their bloom.
umi
the remains remain,
after efforts by the flame,
bring internal change.
kai
twist turn burning,
flames twirling wood surfaces,
ignites new purpose.
bzzz, bees be buzzing,
vibrating to nature’s beat,
I too, dance for sweets.
Closing Reflections
Within the quiet embrace of charred wood, a flower finds its place. It stands not in defiance of fire but in harmony with its transformation—proof that beauty does not fear change. The vessel, shaped by flames, does not resist the marks of time; instead, it honors them, holding space for life to flourish in its imperfect cradle.
Just as the flower bends toward the light, so too must we lean into growth, into renewal, into the quiet lessons hidden in the ashes. Here, in the blackened grain and delicate bloom, we see the truth—what remains is not ruin but resilience, not loss but creation.
And so, may these vessels serve as reminders: That from fire, something new emerges. That even in the moments of undoing, the next chapter waits to unfold. That beauty lingers in the spaces we choose to nurture.
The bloom endures. The vessel holds. The journey continues.
Adventure Awaits…
with love + imagination
-MR. TOMONOSHi!