AJI PROJECT
This product is from "AJI PROJECT," a design interior brand that uses beautiful Aji stone.
Aji stone is a high-grade granite quarried from the rock face of Mt. Goken, which straddles Mure-cho and Aji-cho in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.
The brand was established in 2012 by 13 local stonemasons and volunteers from the chamber of commerce and industry, with the desire to share its appeal with more people.
Aji stone is a historic material that has been traditionally used in construction materials and stone statues for over 400 years.
AJI PROJECT elevates its natural form and texture into designs that complement modern lifestyles.
This paperweight has a rounded form and a cool, gentle texture when touched, creating a subtly yet mysteriously profound aesthetic.
Beyond its use as a paperweight, displaying it on books or shelves like an objet d'art seems to create a quiet conversation with the space.
Rich Texture Woven by Differences in Particle Size
Minerals contained in Aji stone have small crystals, and are classified into "komame" (fine-grained) and "chume" (medium-grained) depending on the size of their particles.
Additionally, those with high iron content and a brownish color are locally called "sabi-ishi" (rust stone).
The fine-grained "komame" on the bottom left is characterized by its delicate texture, and when polished carefully, it reveals a beautiful pattern resembling a double ikat weave.
The medium-grained "chume" on the bottom right is characterized by the small size of its biotite particles, one of the main components of Aji stone, making it appear slightly whiter than "komame."
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 with age, with the beauty of its natural surface providing a healing effect.
Elegant and Sturdy Aji Stone
Aji stone is a type of granite, but it is also known as the "diamond of granite" due to the beauty of its fine crystals.
Additionally, Aji stone is characterized by its high hardness and resistance to weathering.
Because of the strong bonds between its fine crystals, it is said that delicate craftsmanship unmatched by other stones can be achieved.
Shapes that naturally blend into any space
AJI PROJECT products are developed with careful consideration for the material qualities of Aji stone and its placement.
Though seemingly unusual at first glance, they mysteriously blend naturally into various spaces, as if they had always belonged there.
Stone forms that bring a clear breeze to your space
The Aji stone production region has a long history as a prosperous stone industry area and is also known for its highly skilled artisans.
Here, specialized artisans handle different processes such as splitting, carving, and polishing.
Each artisan utilizes their unique skills, and a single product is created through each step from quarrying to processing.
AJI PROJECT items boast delicate and exceptional quality, leveraging the unique texture of Aji stone while working with this natural material—stone that emits energy nurtured by the earth.
Deciding where to display them in my room has become one of my recent pleasures.
