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Tiny Kingdoms: Artist crafts bonsai like you’ve never seen before

(Image credit: Takanori Aiba)By Mariella Moon, Tecca

If you think all bonsai look like mini trees in somebody's zen garden, you haven't seen Takanori Aiba's pieces yet. The Japanese artist combines bonsai art form with Lilliputian architecture design to create some of the most stunning pieces you will ever see.

On his website, Aiba says his crossover creations are the fruit of his days as a (plain) bonsai maker and maze illustrator. None of his designs are derived from real structures — all of them are products of his imagination. But because the details are so elaborate, people usually think he copies the designs of real buildings.

So just how much time does he take to create one of these exactly? Aiba tells Tecca that each piece is so detailed, it takes him anywhere from three months to a year and a half. The bonsai in the first image below took him six months to finish, while the one in the second picture called Hawaiian Pineapple Resort took him a full year.

Unfortunately, you have to go to Japan if you want to see these artworks in person. Aiba is looking for more opportunities to exhibit his work, though one of his pieces called Hotel de Michelin is currently displayed in his restaurant in Tokyo.

(Image credit: Takanori Aiba)

(Image credit: Takanori Aiba)

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  • Serapion M  •  Manila, Philippines  •  1 month 10 days ago
    As to the so called Tiny Kingdoms of Takanori Aiba, I think I have originated the idea of incorporating buildings or landmarks earlier. My Landmark syle bonsai with he Intramuros Ruins as the Landmark was published as cover of Agriculture Magazine edited by Zac Sarian. At that time it was 15 years old so that this time my art piece is already 37 years. Should anyone wants to view my Intramuros Ruins, come and visit the BSAPI show scheduled May 5 to 14, 2012 at Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon Ccity.....Mett Metilla
  • Dyna Might  •  3 months ago
    Unbelievable! Gah! People this talented are INCREDIBLE! These are the things people want to read about Yahoo! I could care less what Kim Kardashian ate for breakfast.
    • DD 3 months ago
      AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Mexapino 3 months ago
      What is Kim Kardashian? A plant?
    • Earl 3 months ago
      Besides....she usually wears her skirts so short you can tell what she ate for breakfast!
  • Roger  •  3 months ago
    Absolutely remarkable--not only great skills in bonsai but an extremely creative imagination--Thanks for the chance to view his work!!
  • acjoker  •  3 months ago
    amazing work...i couldn't even keep a cactus alive and this guy is building tree fortresses in bansai plants.
    • Winston2plus2equals5 3 months ago
      Cactus plants are easy to kill. You probably watered them too much. There are some great books for keeping houseplants. Read and succeed.
    • Tom 3 months ago
      cactus? may be you water too much water ? try just little water once a week or slightly spray twice a week,
    • Bill 3 months ago
      You think you got it bad with cactus ? I can't even get dandilions to grow in my yard !
  • NOitALL  •  Pleasanton, California  •  3 months ago
    I have just the spot for one in my home.
    • stocky 3 months ago
      I have 2 bonsai's in my home, one real and the other two artificial, and I would lovvvveeeee to have one of these.
    • Mikey 3 months ago
      1+2 =2?
    • hawaiianfaerie57 3 months ago
      mine first NOitALL- so gorgeous!
  • Ben  •  Windsor, California  •  3 months ago
    Very Cool!
  • Craven Moorehead  •  3 months ago
    Wow! Those things are amazing. I'd rather read about people like this, truly gifted artists, than people like Chris Brown or Kim Kardashian.
    • AZLBRAX 3 months ago
      Amen! And who IS this Kardashian thing, anyway? And why should I care?
    • Reilly 3 months ago
      ^this.
    • perpetuategoodness 3 months ago
      Shhhh, just enjoy this article please. You are ruining a once in a rare moment good article from yahoo with noise.
  • Kyle  •  Cicero, Illinois  •  3 months ago
    Excellent work.
  • shawnee  •  Green Bay, Wisconsin  •  3 months ago
    wow
  • llollxlloll  •  3 months ago
    These are pretty amazing. All you people hating on this guy saying hes got too much time on his hands. He probably doesnt waste his time trolling on yahoo or video games etc. Excellent way to use your hands while doing something you love and making art people can enjoy.
  • John D  •  3 months ago
    truly incredible
  • twinkielord420  •  3 months ago
    so cooool!!! im gonna try this
  • cry baby  •  Fayetteville, North Carolina  •  3 months ago
    A Grand Master! Incredible! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never seen art like this before and most likely will not again. What detail!!!!
  • Al  •  Miami, Florida  •  3 months ago
    Awesome works of art !
  • tony  •  3 months ago
    beautiful..... and its a real tree...wow...
  • Lainey  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 months ago
    I would love to own one! These are amazing! Now that is a true artist!
  • Suppa  •  3 months ago
    This is real art... not some random guy putting a shoe on a canvas...
  • Victoria  •  Trenton, New Jersey  •  3 months ago
    I am just terrified to know what the price of such beautiful artwork would be! Wishing I could afford to have a piece of his work.
  • FYI  •  3 months ago
    absolutely beautiful! i want one!
  • Mark K  •  Shreveport, Louisiana  •  3 months ago
    You would use LOTS of bubble wrap to ship one of those??
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