Everything started with
one Japanese black pine bonsai
given by a friend's grandfather
(May 26th, 2023)
The first thing we focused on was the watering management unique to bonsai.
Because bonsai pots are small and cannot retain much water, daily watering is essential.
Moreover, the timing and frequency of watering must be adjusted according to the weather, season, and the species, condition, and size of each bonsai — making watering alone a remarkably deep aspect of the bonsai world.
While this effort is certainly part of the joy of bonsai, we believed the demanding daily routine was a barrier to entry for working adults. With funding from a university grant, we began developing a bonsai-specific automatic watering device. (Bonsai × IoT = BonsaIoT)
In the latter phase, with support from the Fukuoka Unexplored Talent Discovery and Development Consortium (under METI's AKATSUKI Project), we developed BonsaIoT — adding 3D bonsai growth recording capabilities using 3D reconstruction technology alongside the watering mechanism.
Through this, we proposed new ways of enjoying bonsai and exploring its possibilities.
Now, using this 3D bonsai data, we are pursuing an even more exciting project — BONSAIENCE.
The third generation evolved into a mechanism more specialized for bonsai photography.
We introduced a curved arc structure for the camera's vertical movement, enabling consistent-distance photography always aimed at the center of the bonsai. During shooting, the turntable rotates 10° at a time to capture still images, completing a full rotation before changing height and repeating — fully automated capture of hundreds of photos with zero blur.
Additionally, the third generation features decorative elements crafted using kerf bending — an artisanal technique that gives the device an elegant exterior in harmony with the aesthetic world of bonsai. The Mark III won two Young Maker Awards at Maker Faire Kyoto 2024.
Learn more