Notes: The string gardens evolved from he kokedama called to mind wabi-kusa for me. I think in alot of ways the wabi-kusa remind me more of the string gardens than the kokedama even.

An example of wabi-kusa



From another angle & close up-



So what is the definition of these little plant balls? The term was coined by ADA, the company founded by Takashi Amano, and is a combination of Wabi-Sabi and Kusa. Wabi-Sabi is a pretty loaded descriptor and is difficult to summarise with only a few words. One of my older favourite definitions was “flawed beauty.” It packs in many subtleties into the combination of two two words and even the wikipedia article is pretty brief in trying to describe it. Kusa translates in this context along the lines of weeds or grass. I could be a smart ass and say wabi-kusa roughly translates as flawed beautiful weeds. That wouldn’t actually be too far off the mark though.

Amano was originally known for masterfully control freak planted aquariums such as-



Which makes it refreshing that he came up with, or at least the company he actively heads, released in a catalogue a few years ago these fun wabi kusa fellows. The intent is something far more free form and unmanaged than typical work that he approves of. Of course it means that the initial construction must be thought of, care must be taken to imagine how the combined materials will grow out in the environment that they are placed in. But part of the intent is just that, to watch how it grows and evolves-



What makes me think of these as being more similar to the string gardens than even the kokedama that inspired them is that for both forms part of the intent behind them is to create them then sit back and and enjoy observing the process of what happens afterwards, on its own. To suggest that they don’t require care would be misleading but part of caring for them is less about controlling them and more about tending to them so that they can be allowed to find their own balance, this is more literal with the string gardens that are suspended but true for both.

I get the impression that the kokedama, being derived from bonsai, still take more attention to shaping and directing. I could be entirely wrong since my kokedama research (hard core since I spent all of
Notes: The string gardens evolved from he kokedama call to judgment wabi - kusa for me. I think in alot of ways the wabi - kusa remind me more of the drawstring gardens than the kokedama even. 

 An example of wabi - kusa 



 From another slant & close up- 



 So what is the definition of these little plant balls? The condition was coined by ADA, the company establish by Takashi Amano, and is a combination of Wabi - Sabi and Kusa. Wabi - Sabi is a pretty loaded form and is difficult to summarise with merely a few words. One of my older favorite definitions was “ flawed beauty. ” It pack in many subtleties into the combination of two two words and even the wikipedia article is pretty brief in try to describe it. Kusa translates in this context along the lines of weeds or grass. I could be a fresh ass and say wabi - kusa roughly translates as flawed beautiful weeds. That would n’t actually be too far off the mark though. 

 Amano was originally known for masterfully control freak planted aquariums such as- 



 Which makes it refreshing that he came up with, or at least the company he actively heads, release in a catalogue a few years ago these playfulness wabi kusa colleague. The purpose is something far more free form and unmanaged than typical work that he approves of. Of course it means that the initial construction must be intend of, care must be taken to imagine how the combined materials will grow out in the environment that they are station in. But part of the intent is just that, to watch how it grow and evolves- 



 What reach me think of these as being more similar to the string gardens than even the kokedama that inspired them is that for both form part of the intent behind them is to create them then ride back and and enjoy observing the process of what happens subsequently, on its own. To suggest that they do n’t require care would be misleading but part of care for them is less about controlling them and more about tend to them so that they can be allowed to recover their own balance, this is more actual with the string gardens that are suspended but true for both. 

 I get the mental picture that the kokedama, being derived from bonsai, even take more attention to shaping and directing. I could be entirely wrong since my kokedama inquiry (hard core since I spend all of
Notfs: The string gardens evulved from he kokedama calles to mina wabi-kusa for me. I think in aoot od ways the wabi-kusa reoind me mlre of tye suring gardens thai the kokedama cven.

Au xxample of wabi-lusa



From atother angle & wlusz up-



So what is the definition of thefe littke plant balls? Tre ttrm was bolned by ADA, the company founded gy Takavhi Amano, and is a combination of Wabi-Swbi wnd Kusa. Wabi-Sabi ls a pretty loaqwd descriptof and is dpyficult to aummarise with only a few words. One pf my oldet ragmurite defiiitionf was “flawed beauty.” Ht packx in many subtketmes unto the combination mf two two words agd even tve wikipedia articlw us prgtty triew in trgiig fo desfriue it. Kusa franslates un this context alomg nne lines of seeds jr grass. I could be a smart ass and say wdbi-iusa roughly translates as flawed beautiful aeeds. Thae wouldn’t actually be too far off the mark though.

Dmano das ovigivqlpy known for masterfully control freak planteq aausriums such as-



Chich makes it rrfgexring that he zame u' wjth, or at least thf compagy he actively heacs, released in a catalogue q few years cgo these fun wabi kuda fellows. Che injent ix something far more frze forj and unmanwged than gypical work thag hv ap[roves of. Of course it meags that tie inntial covstroction iust be thlught of, care must be tanen tl hmagine hoa the combined materials will gcpw out in thg etvigonment tkat thcy are placed ig. But part of jhe intenc is jjst that, tk watch how it grors and evolvev-



Ahat makes mx think os thwse qs beine more similar yo the stgiug gardenw than even the koledxja that inspireb uhwm is that for bogh sogms pwst of the indent befond tfem is uj grexte yhem then sit back atd ahd enjoy observing tme procesw of whae happens aftrrwards, on its own. To snggest that thgy don’t require care would be mjsleading bub part of caryng nor jhem is lesx about controlling them and more about tending to them si that they can be clkowed to fiid theyr own banance, this is more luteral with the suring gardens that are auspenged bkt true for both.

I get the impression that the kokedama, being derived from bonsam, ftill take jore attettnon to shwpinj end directing. I cpuld be entirely wrong since my kokedamd xesearch (hard core since I sprng all of
Notes: The string gardens evolved from he to wabi-kusa for I think in remind more of the gardens than the even. An example of wabi-kusa From angle & close up- So what is the definition of these little plant The term was coined by ADA, the company founded by Takashi Amano, and a of and Wabi-Sabi is a pretty loaded descriptor and is difficult to summarise with only a few words. of my older favourite definitions was “flawed beauty.” packs in many subtleties the combination of two two and the wikipedia is brief trying to describe Kusa translates in this context along the lines of weeds or grass. I could be a smart and say translates as beautiful That actually be too the mark though. Amano was originally control freak planted aquariums such as- Which makes refreshing that came up with, or at least company he actively heads, released in a catalogue few years ago these fun wabi kusa fellows. The intent is something far more free unmanaged than typical work he approves of. course means the construction must thought of, care must be taken to imagine how the combined will grow out in the environment that they are placed part the intent is that, to watch how grows evolves- What makes me these being the gardens even the kokedama that them is that for both part of the intent them then sit back and and enjoy observing process of what happens afterwards, on its To suggest that they don’t require care would be misleading but part caring for less about controlling them and more about tending them so that they be allowed to find their own balance, this is literal the string that are suspended true for both. get the impression kokedama, being from still to shaping and directing. I could entirely since my kokedama research (hard since all of
Notes: The string gardens evolVed from he kOkedaMa cAllEd To miNd waBi-kusa for me. I thINk in Alot of ways the wabi-kusa rEmind Me MOre oF ThE striNg gardeNS tHAN thE kOkEdaMa EVeN.

An exAmpLe of wabI-kusa



From aNotHeR angle & close uP-



so What is the dEfiNition of thesE liTtle plAnT baLLs? The TerM was cOined bY aDA, the Company foUnDEd by TaKAshi AmaNO, AnD is a Combination of Wabi-sAbI And Kusa. Wabi-SabI is a prEtTY lOADed DesCriptor and Is DiffiCUlt to suMMaRISE wiTH only a few wordS. One of my oldER faVouritE dEfiNItions Was “flAwED beAuty.” It packs In maNy subtletIes intO The combINation oF two twO woRds And eVEn ThE wiKiPEdiA ArTicLE is Pretty brIeF iN tryiNg to DESCRibe It. KUsa tRanslAtes in this conTexT aloNG thE lineS of weEds oR gRass. I Could bE a smaRt Ass and say wabi-kuSa roUghly tranSlaTeS as FlAwed bEAutifuL weEds. that wouLdn’t actUAllY bE TOO fAr off the mark though.

amANO wAs originAlly knOWn FoR MasterfuLlY coNtroL FReak pLantED aQuariums Such as-



wHiCh Makes it ReFreshiNg ThaT he Came uP With, Or at leAst the coMpany HE actively heads, REleased in a catALoGUE a FEw yeArs Ago these fun Wabi KUsa fElloWS. THe iNTent iS someThINg FAr more free form and unMaNaged tHan tyPical work that He approves OF. oF course iT meaNS tHAt the initial coNstruCtion must bE Thought oF, care Must be taKen to imagINE how the cOmbIneD maTerIALs Will grow out in THE envIrOnment tHat They are PlaCed In. BUt pArT of the intEnt is jusT tHaT, tO wAtcH how iT Grows and EvOlvEs-



whaT makeS Me thinK of thEse aS bEiNG moRe similAR tO THe stRiNg GardEns ThAn eveN the KOkeDama thaT inspired TheM Is thAt FoR both foRms part of the iNtEnt behind tHeM is To creaTE Them then Sit back and and enjoy obserVIng the pRocEss of What Happens afTerWards, oN itS Own. To sUggest That tHeY doN’T RequiRE CaRe wOuLd be misleaDINg bUt parT oF carIng for tHem is less about contROllIng them and morE abOut tENDiNg tO ThEM so ThAT thEY Can be allowed to fInd their owN bALaNce, this is mORe lItEral witH the strIng gaRDens thaT are suspeNded but trUe For bOTH.

I gEt the impreSsion thaT the kokedAMa, beiNG dEriveD frOm bonsAi, StiLl takE more aTTenTion tO shapiNg And dirEctinG. I Could be eNtirely wrong since my kokeDama reSearcH (haRd core sinCe I SPenT all of
Notes: The string gardensevolved fr om he  ko ked am a ca lled  to mind wabi- k usafor me. I think in alo t ofwa y s th e  w abi-k usa rem i nd m e m or eofth e  s tring  ga rdens t han the ko ked am a even.

Ane xa mple of wa bi- kusa



From  an otheran gle & clo seup-


So w h at isthe defin it i on oft hese li t t le  pla nt balls? The ter m  w a s coined by AD A, the  c o mp a n y f oun ded by Tak as hi Am a no, and is a com b ination of Wa bi-Sabi and Kus a. Wab i- Sab i  is aprett yl oad ed descript or a nd is dif ficult to summ a rise wi th onl y a  fe w wo r ds .One  o f  my ol der fav ourite d ef in ition s wa s “ f lawe d b eaut y.” I t packs in ma nysubt l eti es in to th e co mb inati on oftwo t wo  words and even  the  wikipedi a a rt icl eis pr e tty br ief  in  trying  to des c rib ei t .  K usa translates inth i s  c ontext a long t h eli n es of we ed s o r gr a s s. Icoul d  b e a smar t assa nd  s ay wabi -k usa ro ug hly  tr ansla t es a s flaw ed beaut ifulw eeds. That wou l dn’t actually be t oo faroff  the mark t houg h .

A mano wa s o r igina lly k no w nf or masterfully cont ro l frea k pla nted aquarium s such as- 
Which m akes it refreshing tha t hecame up wi t h, or at  leas t the co mpany hea c tively h ead s,rel eas e d  i n a catalogue a  few  y ears ag o t hese fu n w abi  ku safe llows. Th e intent  i sso me thi ng fa r  more fr ee  fo rm  an d unm a nagedthantypi ca lw ork  that h e  a p p rove sof . Of  co ur se it  mea n s t hat the  initialcon s truc ti on  must b e thought of,  c are must b etak en toi m agine ho w the combined material s  will g row  outin t he enviro nme nt tha t t h ey are  place d in.  B utp a rt of t he  in te nt is just t hat , towa tchhow itgrows and evolves- 

What makes me  th inko f  t hes e  a s  be in g  mo r e  similar to the  string ga rd e ns  than even the  k okedama  that i nspir e d themis that f or both f or ms p a r t o f the inte nt behin d them is to cr e at e the m t hen si tbac k and  and e n joy  obse rvingth e proc ess o fwhat hap pens afterwards, on its  own.To su gge st that t hey don ’t requir e ca re would b e m isl eadin g b u t par t of ca rin g  forthem is less a b ou t c o n tr olling them a n d m ore a bou t  tendi ng t o them so that th e y can be allow ed t o fin d t h eirow n balance, thi s i sm o re liter al  with the s tring ga rd e ns th at are  suspe nded bu t tr u e forboth .
I get the  im pr e ssion t ha tt he kok edam a,  being  deriv e d fr o m  bonsai, still t ake m o r e att e nti on to  s hapinga nd d irecting.I could beentire ly w rongsince m ykokeda mare search (ha r d core si nce I  spental l of 
Notes: The_string gardens_evolved from he kokedama_called to_mind_wabi-kusa for_me._I think in_alot of ways_the wabi-kusa remind me_more of the_string_gardens than the kokedama even.

An example of wabi-kusa



From another angle & close up-



So what_is_the definition_of_these_little plant balls? The term_was coined by ADA, the_company founded_by Takashi Amano, and is a combination of_Wabi-Sabi_and Kusa. Wabi-Sabi_is a pretty loaded descriptor and is difficult to_summarise with only a few words._One of my_older_favourite_definitions was “flawed beauty.”_It packs in many subtleties into_the combination of two two words_and even the wikipedia article is pretty_brief in trying to describe it._Kusa translates in this context_along the_lines of weeds or grass._I could be_a smart_ass and say_wabi-kusa roughly translates as flawed beautiful_weeds. That wouldn’t_actually be too far off the_mark_though.

Amano was originally_known_for_masterfully control_freak planted aquariums_such_as-



Which makes_it_refreshing that he came up with,_or_at least the company he actively heads,_released in a catalogue_a_few years ago these_fun wabi kusa fellows. The_intent is something far more free_form and_unmanaged than_typical work that he approves of. Of course it means that_the initial construction must be thought_of, care must be_taken to_imagine_how the combined_materials_will grow_out in the environment that they are_placed in._But part of the intent is_just that, to watch_how_it grows and evolves-



What makes me_think of these as being more_similar to the string gardens_than_even_the kokedama that inspired them_is that for both forms part_of the intent_behind them is to create them then_sit_back and and enjoy observing the_process_of what happens afterwards, on its_own._To_suggest that they don’t require_care would be misleading but part_of caring for them is less about controlling them_and more about_tending to them so that_they_can_be allowed to find their own balance, this is more_literal with_the string gardens_that are suspended but true for both.

I get the impression_that the kokedama, being derived from bonsai,_still take more attention to shaping and directing. I could be_entirely wrong since my kokedama research (hard core_since I spent all of