AJI PROJECT
These "ROCK END" bookends, made from Aji stone with its striking mottled pattern, are truly impressive.
The contrast between the natural rock face and the carefully polished, straight cut surface is particularly 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 rock walls of Mt. Goken, which spans the towns of Mure and Aji in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.
With a desire to share its charm with more people, the brand was launched in 2012 by 13 local stonemasons and volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Aji stone is a historic material that has been traditionally used in construction and for statues for over 400 years.
AJI PROJECT sublimates its natural form and texture into designs that fit modern lifestyles.
Rich Texture Woven by Differences in Particle Size
The minerals contained in Aji stone have small crystals, and are classified into "fine-grained (komame)" and "medium-grained (chume)" depending on the size of their particles.
Additionally, brown-colored stones with a high iron content are called "sabi-ishi" (rust stone) in the production area.
The fine-grained stone on the bottom left is characterized by its delicate texture, and when polished carefully, it reveals a beautiful pattern resembling a double kasuri weave.
The medium-grained stone on the bottom right has small grains of biotite, one of the main components of Aji stone, and appears slightly whiter compared to the fine-grained stone.
The sabi-ishi at the top center has long been used for gardens, but in recent years, it has also garnered attention as a building material.
It gets its name from its brownish "sabi (rust) color," and it's surprising how it deepens over time, with the beauty of its natural surface providing a healing effect.
Elegant and Robust Aji Stone
Aji stone is a type of granite, but due to the beauty of its fine crystals, it is also called the "diamond of granite."
Aji stone is also characterized by its high hardness and strong resistance to weathering.
Because the fine crystals are strongly bonded, it is said that delicate craftsmanship, unmatched by other stones, can be applied to it.
These Rock End bookends take advantage of this characteristic, with a design that splits a single stone in 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.
It pairs well with vintage furniture, with the deep black shelves further enhancing the stone's texture and substantial feel.
It creates a modern atmosphere and adds an elegant accent, whether in Japanese or Western-style settings.
Forms that Naturally Blend into Any Space
AJI PROJECT's products are developed with a focus on valuing the material feel of Aji stone and considering its place.
Although seemingly unconventional, they somehow naturally blend into various spaces, as if they have always been there.
The Shape of Stone Bringing Clear Air to Your Space
The Aji stone production area has a long history as a thriving stone industry, and is also known for the high skill of its craftsmen.
Here, specialized craftsmen work in a division of labor, performing tasks such as breaking, digging, and polishing.
Each craftsman utilizes their specialized skills, and one product is created through each step of the process, from quarrying to finishing.
AJI PROJECT's items, which are made from natural stone that releases the energy cultivated by the earth, utilize the unique texture of Aji stone and boast delicate and exceptional quality.
Deciding where to display them in my room has become one of my recent pleasures.
