Of Scrolls & Tokonomas

This tokonoma with its spectacular scroll, is from Daiza Iwasaki’s house in Japan. A more cropped version of this photo appears in Morten Albek’s book, Majesty in Miniature, Shohin Bonsai. The original completely uncropped photo is below. Bonsai display I don’t think too many people pay very close attention to bonsai display. I’m sure there are some who do, but judging from countless photos on facebook and elsewhere, display isn’t a major concern for most people (especially outside of Japan). Relationships Display is a lot about the relationship of the elements. Though I’m far from an expert on the subject, … Continue reading Of Scrolls & Tokonomas

The Magic Starts With An Idea

Finished. Most of Masahiko Kimura’s juniper masterpieces start and finish as one tree. Not so this one. The deadwood and each major branch all come from different places. How Kimura put all the pieces together is brilliant and novel. A few hints Rather than explain the whole process here, we’ll offer a few hints and leave the rest to your imagination (or, lacking that, you could get your hands on a copy of Bonsai Today issue 63 and see the whole process). Before. The pieces of the puzzle are gathered together. The deadwood after Kimura prepares it for the task … Continue reading The Magic Starts With An Idea

NEW BOOK! Gnarly Branches Arriving Any Day!

It’s somewhere in the northeast and getting closer by the minute. Any day now, any minute now, Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees will come rolling in. I’ll stake my reputation I’ve seen most of the photos and much of the text, and I will stake my reputation (whatever it is) on this being one of the most inspirational and exciting bonsai books ever published. 30% – 40% off Book Sale It’s a good time to order. Books, tools, bonsai wire, turntables and more on sale now.

Just So: Nature’s Brilliant Bonsai Inspirations

This monster Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) was shot by Craig Thompson somewhere in the Sierra Nevadas. The little one (is it a pine?) in front isn’t half bad either. Biggest Sale… … on Bonsai, Japanese garden & ikebana tools, books, and more at Stone Lantern. Virtually every item is discounted with double discounts for orders over $50..

Mammoth Book Discounts

One of our very best bonsai books marked down from $29.95 to $9.95. Why, you ask? Because we printed 3,000 and still have about 1,000 left. So, let’s liberate them and give you a chance to enjoy and learn from one of our best and most interesting bonsai artists. BTW: the image above gives you a glimpse into the inner workings of a publishing company. This isn’t the cover we ended up with. We changed the color from blue to green and the main heading to gold. Otherwise, everything is the same. We can’t do this with most books… … … Continue reading Mammoth Book Discounts

Satsuki Art Blooms at the National Museum

The sky blue pot is the perfect compliment to the light pink flowers on this powerful Satsuki Azalea that resides at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC. There are a multitude of cultivars in the Satsuki group of azaleas. This one is a ‘Nikko.’ It was donated to the museum by Masayuki Nakamura. As you read this… … one of the best and most breathtaking exhibits of blooming satsuki azaleas is taking place at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. It has already started (May 29th) but don’t despair, it runs until June 13th. Even if you … Continue reading Satsuki Art Blooms at the National Museum

Over on Stone Lantern…

Our best sale yet? Our most popular book has been reduced. This doesn’t make any sense; why reduce something that is selling so well? It says over 200 items have been reduced and that’s true. Actually more like 250. Some quite steeply. And, if you order over $100, you’ll get those dreaded (just kidding) double discounts.

A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

My way or the highway? Here it is and don’t blame me. Who you should blame is unknown; Bonsai Today issue 21 doesn’t provide the artist’s name. Should’ve or could’ve? On April 16th we posted a little quiz from Bonsai Today issue 21. Several of you took the challenge (see comments). Now we are posting the artist’s answers. One could take issue with the ‘should have’ language (the problem may have been in the translation). Still, whatever your thoughts on the language, you can bet that the original artist had a pretty good handle on the art of pruning (see … Continue reading A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

Say Goodbye to an Old Classic (Well, Almost)

Almost gone. Our classic Pine book is down to less than 40 copies. We originally printed 5,200, so it’s been a pretty good run. One per person please While it lasts (and it won’t be long) we request that you limit yourself to one per person (or one per company). Thanks. No plans At this point, we have no plans to reprint, though in a year or two, we could change our minds.

Eccentric Bonsai: Isao Omachi’s Radical Tree

Check out the meandering living vein on this wonderful crazy work in progress by Isao Omachi. It showed up on facebook the other day and instantly grabbed my imagination and got me thinking about how he could have done it (the living vein part, that is). Perhaps there’s a clue in something that Masahiko Kimura (The Magician) did years ago in a chapter entitled ‘Kimura Flips (a Tree Upside Down)’ in our Masters’ Series Juniper book (below). Here’s the Kimura tree that he flipped upside down. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 21 (out of print). Pirates At least … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai: Isao Omachi’s Radical Tree