Celebrating Bonsai & the Arrival of Our Bright Sun

This brilliant Deshojo Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. Deshojo) and the equally brilliant rising sun scroll belong to Bill Valavanis. All the photos shown here were borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ timeline. Here’s Bill’s caption… “Alcove display for tonight’s Introductory to Classical Bonsai Course. Deshojo Japanese maple displayed with a ripe strawberry accessory. Although the rising sun theme hanging scroll is generally only used once a year in Japan on New Year’s Day, it was used tonight to celebrate the bright sun and 85F weather we enjoyed during the day.” By the way, Bill Valavanis is, in addition to being a highly respected bonsai … Continue reading Celebrating Bonsai & the Arrival of Our Bright Sun

At a loss for something to do over Labor Day weekend?

Looking for something to do over Labor Day? How about bonsai with Bill and friends? – A piece of Bill’s nursery and here’s a little good news from Stone Lantern… time TO STOCK UP ON WIRE Deeply Discounted Bonsai Wire 500 GRAM (1.1 LB) ROLLS ONLY 7.95 Only 7.15 off with our 150.00+ discount plus FREE Shipping in the Continental U.S. for orders 75.00+ (U.S. only – Orders outside the U.S. will be charged shipping)

U.S. National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition – June 23-25

This classy Shohin display shows the quality you can expect at the upcoming U.S. National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition. It’s coming soon and it promises to be the Shohin bonsai event of the year. And best of all, it’s not too late to treat yourself and make your plans to be in Kannapolis, North Carolina (30 miles north of Charlotte) June 23-25. Here are three links for more details (Bill Valavanis’ website, Bill on facebook and Bill’s blog). And just in case – given countless Bark post (including our last two) and all three of these links – you might think … Continue reading U.S. National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition – June 23-25

Encore for a Famous Million Dollar Bonsai

This photo is from Bill Valavanis Bonsai Blog, as are the photos in our last post which featured bonsai by a Mr Funayama (no first name given) at the recent 8th World Bonsai Convention. The display of Mr Funayama’s trees was designed by Seiji Morimae. Here’s what Bill Valavanis wrote about the bonsai above (and below)… “Seiji Morimae and his assistants also maintain the Funayama Collection. A few years ago he (Seiji Morimae) took me to visit Mr. Funayama. During lunch Mr. Funayama showed me an old photograph of one of his prized Japanese five-needle pine bonsai from an exhibition … Continue reading Encore for a Famous Million Dollar Bonsai

Working Tirelessly to Promote Bonsai in North America & Beyond

A piece of a sinuous root Larch the belongs to Bill Valavanis. A photo of the whole tree is below. The other day Bill Valavanis generously sent us some photos for a project we’re working on for Stone Lantern. If you know Bill, you know this generosity is not out of character. Bill has been working tirelessly to promote bonsai in North America (and beyond) for a long time, all the while generously giving his energy, knowledge and encouragement to our community of bonsai artists and enthusiasts. Because of Bill’s generosity and dedication, we periodically encourage our readers (that’s you) … Continue reading Working Tirelessly to Promote Bonsai in North America & Beyond

See You at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

I borrowed this dramatic Korean hornbeam from Bill Valavanis, the driving force behind the success of the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions. If you’re not planning on visiting the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, you have one week to change your mind and rearrange you life so you can be there. I can say with complete confidence that the 5th will be the best yet (they get better each time) and that the 4th was a breakthrough U.S. bonsai extravaganza. See you there! Bill’s famous Koto-hime Japanese maple. This brilliant tricolor Toyo nishiki flowering quince also belongs to Bill. If you’re … Continue reading See You at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

If you only visit one bonsai event this year, make it the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

I borrowed this famous cascading Juniper from he 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition website (cropped to better fit a certain social media’s format). If you only visit one bonsai event this year, I suggest you choose the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Rochester NY, September 10th & 11th. Rearrange you life if necessary so you can be there. Each one is better than the last and the last one (two years ago) was mind-stopping. The buzz was palpable and from conversations with dozens of others, the feeling was universal. And it wasn’t just the bonsai, though they amazed more each … Continue reading If you only visit one bonsai event this year, make it the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

Taking a Covered Wagon to the U.S. Bonsai Exhibition

There’s almost noting more beautiful than a Japanese maple in full fall color. This one is from the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition website. We just got a notice from Ryan Neil (Bonsai Mirai) about a covered wagon* full of bonsai that will be making the arduous journey from Portland Oregon to Rochester N.Y. for the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. If you’re exhibiting and your bonsai (or your merchandise) needs a lift, here’s you link. *It’s actually a refrigerated truck. The ‘covered wagon’ is a clever way to grab your attention (and indulge in a little word play). Time … Continue reading Taking a Covered Wagon to the U.S. Bonsai Exhibition

Shaping Bonsai with Rebar, Turnbuckles, Stones, Wire – Everything but the Kitchen Sink

This is what you can do with a little daring and more than a little skill. The huge crack just up from the base of the trunk is intentional. Without it, there’s no way this old tree is surrendering that first subtle bend and without the rebar and wooden peg there’s no way the second larger bend is holding. This photo and the before photo below are from David Benavente’s Estudio de Bonsai. This post, which provides valuable tips on some relatively obscure bonsai techniques, is a mishmash from three previous posts. Before. What would you have done? … Continue reading Shaping Bonsai with Rebar, Turnbuckles, Stones, Wire – Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Back on His Feet – Isao Omachi Four Years Later

2015. Not only is Isao Omachi back on his feet, but it seems like he hasn’t missed a beat. This magnificent Shimpaku juniper is a pretty good example of what he’s been up to since the Tsunami (I don’t know who made the scroll, but it’s not so shabby either). I cropped the photo for a closer look at the tree and scroll. You can see the whole display below. It has been four years since the devastating Japanese Tsunami. Those of you who were following Bark, Bill Valavanis, Marco Invernizzi or others in our world bonsai community, remember Isao … Continue reading Back on His Feet – Isao Omachi Four Years Later