Isao Omachi using the part of the Ichiban blade that is designed for cutting wire.
Isao Omachi’s comments
Here’s part of what Isao Omachi has to say about his Ichiban: “Compared to a normal pair of bonsai scissors, these are light and comfortable in the hand; you barely have to raise your elbow. You can multitask with ease, cutting swiftly through branches and wire… In addition to Ichiban’s unique design and efficiency, any level of bonsai student can have fun using a pair…”
Roy Nagatoshi, Walter Pall, Shinji Suzuki and Isao Omachi
So far Marco has sent us testimonials from Roy Nagatoshi, Walter Pall, Shinji Suzuki and Isao Omachi. I expect more as time goes on and more people become familiar with this remarkable new tool.
You can check out Marco’s site for more on the Ichiban…
… or you can order here
Continue reading ‘Roy, Walter, Shinji, Isao & The Ichiban’
This powerful tray planting leaves little doubt that Robert Steven is a brilliant bonsai and penjing artist. From Mission of Transformation.
It’s on shore and on its way
A truck bearing Robert Steven’s new book, Mission of Transformation, will be ascending our long dirt driveway any day now (maybe today!).
Walter Pall
“Tradition is not the conservation of ashes but the propagation of fire. Robert Steven certainly is propagating the fire. What was started in his first book, Vision of My Soul… is put into practice here in this book. I dare to say that this book will become a classic. It is a must for every advanced student of bonsai… (and) beginners will profit vastly…” Walter Pall is one of the world’s most famous, prolific and outspoken bonsai artists. Walter is well known to readers of Bonsai Bark.
Bill Valavanis
“The bonsai community is fortunate to have Robert Steven as one of the leading bonsai artists who shares his enthusiasm, passion and love for the art… I am certain bonsai artists from around the globe will find Mission of Transformation a valuable addition to their reference library because it contains information not found anywhere so well presented and explained.” Bill Valavanis, Bonsai artist and educator, and publisher of International Bonsai magazine.
Continue reading ‘Mission of Transformation is rapidly approaching’
A naturalistic Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Walter Pall (from Bonsai Today issue 106). This tree was awarded third place overall in the Bonsai Today/Art of Bonsai 2006 photo contest. Walter also won first and second place in the overall category.
The Naturalistic Bonsai Movement?
In the expanding galaxy of accomplished Western bonsai artists, Walter Pall’s bonsai skills and dedication to teaching and promoting the art of bonsai make him one of the brightest stars. Walter is also one of the most prominent proponents of what could be called the Naturalistic Bonsai Movement (or something like that).
In our last Great Debate post, I promised you more from Walter on the topic. The quotes below by Walter are from an article entitled A Naturalistic Scot’s Pine that appeared in Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print).
The other two photos in this post are NOT Walter’s trees. They are rather, my idea of two worthy examples of naturalistic bonsai by other artists.
Continue reading ‘The Great Debate part 3: More from Walter’
This Red escallonia (Escallonia rubra ‘Woodside’) by Mike Page is from the Bonsai Today/Art of Bonsai 2006 photo contest. If you are interested, you can find the winning photos in Bonsai Today issue 106.
Don’t be shy
Stone Lantern and Bonsai Bark are delighted to announce that we one of the sponsors of The Art of Bonsai Project’s annual photo contest. The contest provides an excellent opportunity for you to delve into preparing and photographing your bonsai. Two practices that will open your eyes in ways that may surprise you. Really, don’t be shy and don’t think your trees have to be world class to enter. The folks at AoB will be happy to provide useful (and friendly) feedback, no matter your level of accomplishment.
Continue reading ‘Get Out Your Camera! AoB Awards Coming Up’
Coming soon
Robert Steven’s long awaited new book Mission of Transformation has just pulled out of port for it’s halfway round the world journey from Indonesia to Vermont. We hope to see it pull up to our warehouse sometime in August (no guarantees!). While we (and you) are waiting, we’re offering a pre-order, pre-pay special at $49. (retail $55.), with double discounts during our book sale.
Here’s what a few bonsai notables have to say about it:
“I am certain bonsai artists from around the globe will find “Mission of Transformation” a valuable addition to their reference library because it contains information not found anywhere so well presented and explained.” - William N. Valavanis
“Robert has finally given us a “how-to” book on bonsai design that concentrates on the artistic and horticultural aspects like no other books have.” – Walter Pall
“…this book, “Mission of Transformation” will certainly make another great success and give a great influencing contribution to the bonsai world.” – Yen Zi Jing
Stay posted for some enticing photos to jump start your appetite.
This Scot’s pine (Pinus sylvestris) by Walter Pall is from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 104. It was presented by Walter as an example of a naturalistic bonsai.
“… too many of these bonsai look like they are made of plastic…”
The whole quote, which was written by Walter Pall, and appears in Bonsai Today issue 104, goes like this: “I have seen that the trend in styling is toward more and more refinement, which often takes away all the naturalness. I find that too many of these bonsai look like they are made of plastic and are not real.”
You be the judge
To my eyes, Walter Pall’s Scot’s pine is a wonderful bonsai. That’s why we chose it for the cover of Bonsai Today. But we’ve also featured some much more stylized and refined trees for covers; trees that we like. Are these trees overly refined and plastic looking?
Continue reading ‘The Great Debate part 2: You Be the Judge’
This Rough bark shore juniper is by Boon Manakitipivart. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108. Though it certainly has a rugged, natural feel, does it also have some features (aside from the pot) that are more characteristic of bonsai than of trees growing in the wild?
Is there a clear distinction?
Back two or three years ago, I was hearing and reading a lot about naturalistic bonsai versus more abstract bonsai. Though I’m not sure that the difference is always that obvious, or that there are only two categories when it come to this discussion, I do get the general idea: some bonsai look a lot like trees in nature and some look less like trees in nature. Perhaps most are somewhere in between.
Continue reading ‘The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?’
Sinuous root style Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) in splendid fall color, by Bill Valavanis of International Bonsai.
When I first started playing with bonsai almost thirty years ago, nurseries were bonsai stock gold mines. Now, because bonsai enthusiasts have caught on, old forgotten potential bonsai are a little harder to to find. But don’t lose heart, they are still there. You just have to look a little harder.
Bill Valavanis’ sweet sinuous root Cotoneaster (above) is one of many bonsai from nursery stock currently feature on Artofbonsai.org. Some other well-known featured artists are: Walter Pall, Morten Albek (author of Shohin Bonsai), Budi Sulistyo (Tropical Bonsai Gallery) and Robert Steven (Vision of My Soul).
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