From left to right: unidentified grass, Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), flowering ‘Nippon Bells’ (Shortia uniflora) companion plant, suiseki (viewing stone), another unidentified companion, and a very stately Needle juniper (Juniperus ridgida). By Masao Komatsu.
Group displays
Each group display in this post is by a single artist. Each display shows mastery in two art forms: bonsai and bonsai display. The photos come from an article by Saburo Kato in Bonsai Today issue 43.
The forest on a slab is a spruce (probably Ezo). That’s a pine on the construction on the right. This display is by ‘The Magician’ Masahiko Kimura.
Hornbeam (Carpinus laxiflora) forest on a slab and a Shimpaku juniper on the rock. This image captures only half of a display by Grand Master Saburo Kato.
Wow,
I have been doing bonsai for about 8 years now. I am fairly proficient at keeping my trees in good health, that’s probably why I am becoming more and more interested in formal display and Kusamono in general. Thanks for sharing.
Hey btw, I have the Willi Benz book Bonsai Kusamono Suiseki, are there other books written in English that are as in depth as the Benz book?
You are welcome.
As far as the Benz book goes, it’s unique. I can’t really think of another that comes does what it does.
Great displays…………
I really don’t see how they keep the plants alive on the rocks. They must water 3 -4 times times a day or have their “bonsai servants” do it for them ?
Lee
so great to see all the fine photos here of clasic trees and sones . say for great naturally formed jades check out the rock stop sam is great friend and libves in area that is full of small bonsI TYPE TREES THOSE WITH APT. CAN VIEW SOME OF THE GREAT JADES . contact him for something great . he is no 1 in the state of ca rockshop.com for links to all stoneweb sights yours john keep up the fine work j