Bathed in moonlight, the tree quietly emerges into view. “TSUKIKAGE” is an artwork that evokes the stillness of a garden at night through the shimmering silver foliage and the contours defined by black frames. The delicate leaves capture the light, while the trunk reveals deep shadows beneath them. The contrast between light and darkness, together with generous negative space, creates a serene landscape in which the tree appears to float within its surroundings.

Created using DRY BONSAI® (preserved bonsai) developed by Shigeo Fujita, this artwork was produced in collaboration with metalwork artist Um Dimm. Each frame, individually handcrafted by Um Dimm, consists of overlapping vertical rectangles. Shoji Osaka combines the natural curves of the tree and its silver foliage with these precise straight lines, creating a composition in which nature and metal craftsmanship complement one another. The slender glass vessel reveals the lines extending from the trunk to the roots while bringing a sense of transparency to the base. The space surrounding the tree becomes part of the artwork itself, forming a three-dimensional landscape designed to appreciate light and shadow.

The silver foliage spreading across the upper branches reveals a soft radiance and delicate shadows depending on how the light falls upon it. Beneath it, the trunk retains its natural character, bending and twisting as it extends toward the transparent glass vessel. The delicate lines of the roots visible inside the vessel, together with the small black frame surrounding them, add another element of visual interest at the base. The overlapping frames behind the tree change their spatial relationship with it depending on the viewing angle, creating a sense of depth. Within a restrained palette of silver, black, and transparency, the distinct textures of each material stand out, giving the artwork a dignified and serene presence.