A Deep Ravine in a Shallow Pot

This planting from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic is quite similar to the planting on the cover (below): same trees (cryptomeria), same (or nearly the same) pot and somewhat similar rocky ravine separating two tree and moss covered areas. The main difference is that this one shows a deep ravine. The rocks that define it represent tall vertical cliffs. A long time ago (January, 2010 to be exact) we featured this post as part of a series on a remarkable book by Toshio Kawamoto. Now, because I’m still out of town on a vacation of sorts, it seems like a good … Continue reading A Deep Ravine in a Shallow Pot

A Lost Treasure #6: Enchanted Lands

Enchanted lands, our fifth in a series of plantings (here for the previous one) from Toshio Kawamoto’s Sakei classic (long out of print). The tree are 3 five year old ezo spruce, 16 five to eight year old cryptomeria (6-8 inches tall), 7 three to eight year old satsuki azaleas and 3 three year old tsutsuji azaleas. The pot is a round unglazed tray, 28 inches (71cm) in diameter (you can’t really tell from the photo just how large the pot is). This diagram is designed to give you a little better idea of the layout and relationship of the … Continue reading A Lost Treasure #6: Enchanted Lands

Contest Winner (Better Late Than Never)

This planting (River in India by Lew Buller) was the subject of a critique contest that we posted back on September 2nd. Note from the present (March 19, 2014): This planting is NOT by Lew Buller. It is from his book Saikei and Art, but isn’t his. My apologies to Lew. Plenty to choose from Thanks to all of you that bothered to send a critique. We got plenty of good ones and just as I expected, they ranged all the way from very positive to critical. We even got one from Robert Steven (see below), author of Vision of … Continue reading Contest Winner (Better Late Than Never)

Johnny Uchida’s Superb Saikei

This stellar saikei by Johnny Uchida was sent to us by Noah (no last name). Johnny Uchida is the owner of Grove Way Nursery in Hayward, California (East Bay, SF Bay Area). Noah’s comments Here what Noah has to say about this planting: “This saikei was done by Johnny Uchida of Grove Way Bonsai as an example for beginning students who were learning to make their own saikeis and he gave me permission to share them. Mr. Uchida is also the sensei of Yamato Bonsai Kai in Northern California. The trees are cryptomeria and hinoki cypress and the composition is … Continue reading Johnny Uchida’s Superb Saikei

A Lost Treasure #4: Peaceful Lagoon

Peaceful Lagoon, our third in a series of plantings from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic. The trees are five to twenty-year-old Japanese black pines. The pot (Tokoname) is similar to the ones in the previous two landscapes, though quite a bit larger. An invitation The purpose of this section is to show how to create a saikei that depicts a peaceful lagoon just off the ocean. The photo taken together with the drawings (below), create the impression that the author is inviting you to duplicate his work. Attention to detail If you look at all the elements: the rocks, the trees, … Continue reading A Lost Treasure #4: Peaceful Lagoon

A Lost Treasure #3: Lakeside Planting

Lakeside with Lingering Snow, our second in a series of plantings from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic. The trees are the same (cryptomeria) as in our last post from the book (creating a deep ravine planting), the pot is almost the same and the landscape is similar, though this one is softer. The focal point, the large single mountain stone that elevates the planting from good to extraordinary, is enhanced by a little touch of snow. The author doesn’t say what the snow is and it’s hard to tell from the photo. It would be ideal if it were simply part … Continue reading A Lost Treasure #3: Lakeside Planting

Saikei: Creating a Planting with a Deep Ravine

This planting from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic (see previous post) is quite similar to the planting on the cover (below): same trees (cryptomeria), same (or nearly the same) pot and somewhat similar rocky ravine separating two tree and moss covered areas. The man difference is that this one shows a deep ravine. The rocks that define it represent tall vertical cliffs. How to create a deep ravine saikei The purpose of this section in the original book is to show how to create a deep ravine saikei, just like the one in the photo. In fact, if you look at … Continue reading Saikei: Creating a Planting with a Deep Ravine

A Lost Treasure

I found this old out-of-print classic in Green Apple Books in San Franscisco for ten dollars (minus my family discount – see disclaimer below). It was in near perfect condition after more than forty years (copyright 1967, Kodansha International). The original price was $6.95 (hardcover no less). BTW: Green Apple is one of the best surviving used/new independent bookstores anywhere (disclaimer: my son-in-law is part owner, but this takes away nothing from the fact that it’s a great place and an institution in San Fransisco). I got lucky John Palmer, founder of Bonsai Today and Stone Lantern Publishing mentioned this … Continue reading A Lost Treasure