AJI PROJECT
These bookends, "ROCK END," made from Aji stone with its distinctive mottled pattern, are truly impressive.
The contrast between the natural rock texture and the carefully polished, straight cut surface is striking.
This product comes from "AJI PROJECT," a beautiful design interior brand that utilizes Aji stone.
Aji stone is a high-grade granite quarried from the cliffs of Gokenzan, which spans Mure-cho and Aji-cho in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.
With the desire to share its appeal with more people, the brand was launched in 2012 by 13 local stonemasons and volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce.
Aji stone is a historic material that has been traditionally used in construction and stone sculptures for over 400 years.
AJI PROJECT sublimates its natural form and texture into designs that blend with modern lifestyles.
Rich Texture Woven by Differences in Particle Size
The minerals contained in Aji stone have small crystals, and are classified into "Koma-me" (fine-grained) and "Chu-me" (medium-grained) based on their particle size.
Additionally, brown-colored stones with a high iron content are locally called "Sabi-ishi" (rust stone).
The fine-grained Koma-me (bottom left) is characterized by its delicate texture, and when carefully polished, it reveals a beautiful, double-kasuri-like pattern.
The medium-grained Chu-me (bottom right) is characterized by its small biotite particles, one of Aji stone's main components, making it appear slightly whiter than Koma-me.
The Sabi-ishi (top center) has long been used for gardens, but in recent years, it has also garnered attention as a building material.
Named after its brownish "sabi" (rust) color, it deepens in color over time, and surprisingly, the beauty of its natural surface is said to have a healing effect.
Elegant and Robust Aji Stone
Aji stone is a type of granite, but it is also called the "diamond of granite" due to the beauty of its fine crystals.
Aji stone is also characterized by its high hardness and resistance to weathering.
Because the fine crystals are strongly bonded, it is said that delicate craftsmanship that cannot be replicated with other stones can be applied to it.
These rock ends leverage that characteristic, featuring a design where one stone is split into two.
The surfaces that come into contact with books are polished to prevent damage, and discreet clear rubber stoppers are attached to the bottom for non-slip functionality, making them highly functional.
They pair well with vintage furniture, and a rich black shelf further enhances the stone's texture and substantial feel.
They create a modern atmosphere and add an elegant accent, regardless of whether the decor is Japanese or Western.
Forms that Naturally Blend into Any Space
AJI PROJECT products are developed with a focus on the texture of Aji stone and considering its place in a space.
Although seemingly foreign, they surprisingly blend naturally into various spaces, as if they had always been there.
The Shape of Stone, Bringing a Clear Breeze to Your Space
The Aji stone producing region has a long history as a place where the stone industry flourished and is known for the high skills of its craftsmen.
Here, specialized craftsmen work in a division of labor, performing tasks such as splitting, excavating, and polishing.
Each craftsman utilizes their expertise, and a single product is created through each step of the process, from quarrying to processing.
Handling natural materials like stone, which emit the energy nurtured by the earth, the items from AJI PROJECT boast delicate and exceptional quality, leveraging the unique texture of Aji stone.
Thinking about where to display them in the room is one of my recent pleasures.
