The Niwaki story began in 1997 when Jake Hobson, a Slade school graduate of sculpture went to Japan to study cherry blossoms. Instead he found himself drawn into the world of Japanese tree pruning. He fell in love and married Keiko and they built a life together in the UK where Jake honed his skills in the topiary method of cloud pruning. Jake's career in gardening grew but recalling the traditional tools he'd used while working in Japan, he and his wife Keiko slowly began importing robust secateurs, razor sharp pruning shears and hori-horis.

Each piece is hand-forged by skilled artisans across Japan, prized for precision and durability that Western tools rarely match, they caused quite a stir in the English garden world. The range now extends to bright yellow toolboxes, directional workwear and more.

The name Niwaki comes from the Japanese word for "garden trees," which also describes the art of sculpting them - fitting for a brand built entirely around Japanese garden tools that help people shape their own gardens with the same care.