I don’t know who styled this wonderfully crazy azalea (I don’t read Japanese) but I do know that Master Potter Gyozan Nakano made the pot.
A remarkable book about a remarkable potter
Four years ago I was given a most remarkable book by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, who received it courtesy of Masahiro Tokuo (President of Kindai Publishing). Since then, it has spent most of its time just sitting on my shelf, though occasionally I thumb through and marvel at the photos (and wish I could read Japanese).
The book is about Master Potter Gyozan Nakano and consists mostly of high quality photos of his pots. Most pots stand alone, but some are holding great bonsai or companion plants. I wish I could show you the whole book, but I can’t, so we’ll settle for a few photos.
Hi Wayne,
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, and just wanted to say thank you, both for your time that has gone in to this, Stone Lantern, and previously in to Bonsai Today.
And, of course, thank you for sharing these pots. I’m still learning Japanese, so I wish I could tell you who styled that Azalea, but I can’t decipher it just yet!
I for one particularly like the white and blue painted pots. The one with the cricket is whimsical and so unlike anything I’ve seen, especially here in America.
-Heather
Thanks for your kind words Heather.
Let me know when you know enough Japanese. I’ve got several Japanese books that provoke occasional questions.
Whoops. I was using Joe’s account, so it looks like he posted the reply to Heather that was addressed to me. Anyway, it wasn’t Joe talking, it was me. And BTW: Joe is my son and the technical (and sometimes artistic) brains behind Stone Lantern and Bonsai Bark.
I would highly appreciate your sending me information about ikebana scissors
Hehe, understood. He does a great job too. Everything looks nice and clean both places.
If I ever get to the point where I can read more than the hiragana, I’ll let you know!
Eugenia
Here’s a link to our ikebana tools: http://www.stonelantern.com/Ikebana_Tools_s/41.htm
For the rest of you out there who don’t know: in addition to bonsai books, tools etc, we also offer ikebana and gardening books, tools etc.
I’m in Japan right now and will ask my sensei, Suisho Nakayama, about the aalea pix. If anyone will know he will.
I would appreciate a little more info about the book that you referenced. Title , pub date, publisher etc.
Hi Ann Marie,
The title is: Gyozan Nakano, Sakai: A 35 Year Anthology
Publisher: Kindai Publishing Company
I couldn’t find a date (the book is in Japanese). The World Bonsai Friendship Federation sent it to us in 2005.
Anything info you can find is appreciated.
Thanks,
-w
Sorry nothing about the tree. The text concerns making of this custom pot for the tree, one of the largest he had made, 108cm or 42.5 inches!