It is almost impossible to describe Hajime Nakatomi’s work without mentioning that he began by studying marketing in a prestigious university. Struck by the beauty of the work of Shono Shounsai (a living national treasure based in Japan), he ended up abandoning a promising career and taking up an apprenticeship in artistic basketweaving.

Trained by bamboo sculptor Shoryu Honda, Nakatomi established his own studio in 2005. The artisan has since developed a practice which combines both simplicity and sophistication, tradition and modernity, exhibiting in museums and galleries across the globe.

More than ten years later, whether his creations are functional or purely artistic, his ingenious structures are reminders that the combination of passion and dedication can be the makings of an unexpected career choice.