About us

About Us

My uncle, Fumio Yamada, was a bonsai teacher in Japan, and he deeply influenced my journey into the world of plants. It was his strong wish to share with others how these small living plants play a vital role in our lives — bringing peace, beauty, and a tranquil state of mind.

In his words:
“These small plants are reminiscent of forests — peaceful little pieces of earth that offer us calm and a quiet mind.”

The name Kodama Forest was inspired by this idea — the forest spirit that lives within nature and within each small plant.

My father, Hiroshi, was also instrumental in this journey. He introduced me to kokedama and encouraged me to turn my passion into a business. Through both my uncle’s philosophy and my father’s support, I found my path.

When I first encountered kokedama, I immediately fell in love. I felt called to become a kokedama artist — to share my uncle’s peaceful world and the quiet joy that these living creations bring.

Although kokedama has become more widely known in Japan, it still has a relatively short history and risks fading as fewer artists continue the tradition. I believe it is a beautiful living art form that offers calm and grounding in our busy modern lives. My hope is to preserve this tradition and pass it on to future generations.

My deepest wish is that every kokedama owner feels the peaceful energy and gentle presence that each small “forest spirit” carries.