AJI PROJECT
This product is from AJI PROJECT, a brand of beautiful interior designs using Aji stone.
Aji stone is a high-grade granite quarried from the rock face of Mt. Goken, which straddles the towns of Mure and Aji 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 charm with more people.
Aji stone is a historic stone material that has been traditionally used in building materials and stone statues for over 400 years.
AJI PROJECT elevates its natural form and texture into designs that fit modern lifestyles.
This paperweight has a rounded form and a cool, gentle texture to the touch, which, despite its subtlety, somehow conveys a profound sense of taste.
More than just a paperweight, if displayed like an objet d'art on a book or shelf, it seems to create a subtle dialogue with the space.
Rich texture woven by differences in particle size
The minerals contained in Aji stone have small crystals, and are classified into "komame" (fine-grained) and "chūme" (medium-grained) depending on the size of their particles.
Also, those with a high iron content, which are brownish, are called "sabi-ishi" (rust stone) in the production area.
The komame (fine-grained) on the lower left is characterized by its fine-grained surface, and when carefully polished, it reveals a beautiful pattern like a double kasuri (ikat) design.
The chūme (medium-grained) on the lower right has small particles of biotite, one of the main components of Aji stone, and is characterized by appearing slightly whiter than komame.
The sabi-ishi (rust stone) at the top center has long been used for gardens, but in recent years, it has also been attracting attention as a building material.
It gets its name from its brownish "rust color," and it is surprising how it deepens over time, and the beauty of its natural surface is said to have a healing effect.
Elegant and strong 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 of the strong bond of its fine crystals, it is said that delicate craftsmanship that cannot be imitated by other stones can be applied.
A form that naturally blends into any space
AJI PROJECT products are developed with careful consideration for the feel of the Aji stone and its placement.
Though seemingly disparate at first glance, they somehow blend naturally into various spaces, as if they had always been there.
The form of stone brings clear air to a space
The Aji stone production area has a long history as a place where the stone industry flourished and is also known for the high skill of its artisans.
Here, specialized artisans work in a division of labor, each excelling in tasks such as cutting, digging, and polishing.
It is said that each product is created through every step from quarrying to processing, with each artisan utilizing their unique skills.
The items from AJI PROJECT harness the unique texture of Aji stone, a natural material that radiates the energy nurtured by the earth, boasting delicate and exceptional quality.
Deciding where to display them in the room has recently become one of my simple pleasures.
