Masters of Refining Bonsai

We don’t usually feature photos with so much background noise, but this Trident maple is phenomenal and it’s the only shot we’ve got Just home from vacation. The return was supposed to be a two day trek, but snow added a day. Anyway, it’s late and I could skip today’s post, but instead we’ll just keep digging up Omiya Bonsai Museum photos from our archives (this one is from January, 2015). It’s easy enough and it will provide another opportunity for a heads up about the end of our Site Wide Sale tomorrow night All the bonsai shown here resides at the Omiya … Continue reading Masters of Refining Bonsai

Would You Believe a Bonsai Just Sold for $100,000?

You’ll have to scroll down to see the $100,000 bonsai, but this famous Hinoki planting by the even more famous Masahiko Kimura, just sold at the Taikan ten bonsai show for a mere 1,800,000 Japanese yen (approx $16,000) You think you blew your budget this season? How about some of these bonsai that sold at last month’s annual Taikan ten bonsai show? I found them at Bonsai Kyogie (Victoria Australia). SITE WIDE SALE SAME DAY SHIPPING* Everything Is At Least 20% off Items already discounted are more than 20% off *Orders placed by 2:00pm EST will be shipped the same business day discounts are … Continue reading Would You Believe a Bonsai Just Sold for $100,000?

Swept Away by a Bonsai Broom

When it comes to broom-style bonsai, this Zelkova is no doubt among the very best. In addition to one of the most perfectly developed crowns anywhere (with an amazing profusion of tiny leaves), it provides an excellent example of trunk and surface root development. Neither are overstated; providing a welcome relief from the overly dramatic trunk taper and grotesque nebari that you sometimes see on deciduous trees. But then, you might expect perfection from this tree; it’s from Grand Master Saburo Kato’s collection. For a long time Mr Kato was recognized as Japan’s preeminent Bonsai artist. Up to our old … Continue reading Swept Away by a Bonsai Broom

A Perfectly Understated Example of Trunk & Nebari Development

In addition a one of the most perfectly developed crowns you’ll ever see, with its amazing profusion of tiny leaves; this Zelkova provides an excellent example of trunk and surface root (nebari) development. Neither are overstated; providing a welcome relief from overdeveloped trunk taper and nebari that you sometimes see (especially on maples*). But then, you might expect perfection from this tree, it’s from the Grand Master Saburo Kato’s collection (Mr Kato is the author of the famous book, Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai). Off to the big city today (Burlington Vermont) and no time to put together … Continue reading A Perfectly Understated Example of Trunk & Nebari Development

American Elm Bonsai – It Only Looks Like a Zelkova

At a glance, or even on closer inspection, you might think this is a Zelkova. After all, Zelkova is the most common broom style bonsai and the leaves even look Zelkovish. However, it’s not. It’s an American elm that belongs to Suthin Sukosolvisit. You don’t see that many American elm bonsai (or American elms at all for that matter, thanks to Dutch elm disease). And you certainly don’t see many, if any, American elm bonsai as well developed as this one. We have Suthin Sukosolvisit to thank for this. Just in case you don’t know him, Suthin is one of … Continue reading American Elm Bonsai – It Only Looks Like a Zelkova

Kokufu Mid-Winter Bonsai Splendor

Though any Kokufu bonsai might work, this Japanese white pine looks like a good tree to lead with. Besides, I’ve got a soft spot for short muscular trees. Especially short muscular trees whose scarred bark and hunched stance tell a story of hard times and harsh conditions, while its lush foliage and vibrant strength tell a story of better times and full recovery. This and all the other photos shown here are from Bill Valavanis’ blog, Welcome To My Bonsai World. Kokufu, the world’s premier (and oldest) Bonsai Exhibition is in full swing. Those of us not fortunate enough to be … Continue reading Kokufu Mid-Winter Bonsai Splendor

Masters of the Art of Refinement

We don’t usually feature photos with so much background noise. But this bonsai (Trident maple) is phenomenal and the photo has an artistic quality and gives you a sense of place (the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum). The thing that most separates Japanese bonsai from much of the bonsai in the West* is refinement. With deciduous trees this is most obvious when you look at ramification (branch structure and particularly fine branch structure). There are certainly other feature that express refinement, for example taper and nebari, but nothing expresses it more than the development of fine branching. All the bonsai shown here … Continue reading Masters of the Art of Refinement

Time to Celebrate…

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. It’s time to celebrate our National Bonsai and Penjing Museum once again. If you are anywhere near our nation’s capital, or plan on being anywhere near, don’t miss this phenomenal display. Even if you have no plans on being near Washington DC, you can … Continue reading Time to Celebrate…

Random Pages & A Messy Desk

This unusual Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) is not representative of most of the trees that appear in Fine Bonsai, which tend to be powerful mind-stopppers. Still, there’s something about it, beyond just the fact that it’s so different… Packing and leaving for the West Coast today, so it’s archive time. This will be the third time for this post, which you might view as excessive and I’d have to agree. Except that these photos from Fine Bonsai are great. And, there’s a motive for resorting to a post about a book. We just put up a 25% off book … Continue reading Random Pages & A Messy Desk

Getting It Right This Time

Is it just me, or does this spectacular tree feel like it’s just barely clinging to the pot? My eye keeps returning the highest point on the right where the trunk and soil meet and questioning whether it will hold. I guess that tension is one of the many things that distinguishes this remarkable bonsai. Getting things right the first time is better, but… Two days ago I posted some trees I found at Bonsai Center Sopelana and titled the post ‘Bonsai from the Basque Country.’ Had I paid more attention I would have noticed that the trees are from … Continue reading Getting It Right This Time