I found this striking forest-on-a-cliff on facebook. It was posted by Dario Ascoli. It caught my attention for two reasons: first it stands on its own as decent bonsai with good potential for further development, and second, it is reminiscent of a famous Hinoki forest by Kimura (see below). Though I can’t find any information on this (who’s the artist etc), I’d wager that the trees are also Hinokis.
Mature trees vs young trees
Though comparisons are often odious (and unfair, especially when it’s with Kimura), still, older trees make for much more interesting forests. In this case, Kimura’s hinokis (below) are not only mature, but also expertly styled; each one in accord with its size and position in the forest.
Deadwood
Another distinctive feature on the Kimura forest is the use of deadwood. It adds a touch of age and a sense of the struggle that you might expect trees to experience on a steep rocky mountain side.
Expert spacing and pruning help too
The spacing on the forest above is pretty good considering how many trees there are, but it is still a little crowded. Perhaps with time and a little jinning and pruning, it will open up a bit. You can see the advantage to a more open look on the Kimura forest. The maturity and power of the individual trees stands out, much the way you might expect in a inhospitable mountain environment.
This famous masterpiece hinoki forest is by Masahiko Kimura and is one of his favorites. The photo is by Morten Albek (author of Shohin Bonsai). It appears in The Magician: The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2.
Dario Ascoli has created a gem which I would be proud to have!
I like his stone better than that of Kimura, but as you note, comparisons are not all that fair or valid. Kimura’s did not require a pot.
The Ascoli composition is obviously a bit earlier in its training, as he still has the trunks wired.
Kudos to Dario Ascoli!
As much as I love this mountain slope creation by Kimura, I honestly feel the Ascoli forest is more natural-looking in terms of composition. It obviously needs more refinement though (and could IMHO do with a couple broken or tilted trees too), but an amazing creation nevertheless!
Yeah Alan, I agree. I probably understated my enthusiasm by using the word ‘decent’, mostly because the trees are young and need some work which means it will be years before the plantings full potential is realized. But, my first response was wow! and that’s why it’s there.
As far as the choice of stones go, I like them both. Kimura’s is more like a slab and has a streamlined look that I like (as does his whole planting). Dario’s is more stone like and works perfectly. I look forward to seeing it in a few years.
Thanks Dan,
Agreed about Ascoli forest. It’s very good and with time could become great.
I have trouble finding anything I don’t like about the Kimura planting. I especially like the spareness of the trees and open spacing. I was just in the White Mountains (the ones in CA) visiting the Bristlecones and other noteworthy trees (including various other pines and some amazing Utah junipers) and to my eye, Kimura has captured the feel that exists there where the forests are mature and majestic.
Hi,
Dario didn’t create this forest. He is a fan of great bonsai pieces and his intention is to share the photos he has found with others, although he does so without attribution.
Ken
Thanks Ken. Yeah, others do that too. At a glance you might think it is theirs. I think the right thing to do is to attribute whenever you post someone’s work. I wonder who did it.
Okay Wayne,
I did some snooping and found out that this piece wasn’t just inspired by the master but it actually IS from master Kimura himself. It’s from Craig Coussin’s photo album. I think Dario “tagged” himself so it appeared in his album. Here’s a link to the entire album: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=236470&id=630444253&page=2
Ken
Thanks Ken and sure ’nuff it says Kimura san under the photo. It doesn’t look nearly as refined as most of his trees. I suspect it’s a work in progress (fairly freshly potted), far from show or sales stage.
I got this information from Craig Coussins who took the photo of Kimura’s creation:
“The trees were first designed with this Ibigawa rock around 1988 and form the image seen in the mountains of Japan. A cedar forest on ridge. The difficulty with this planting is the position of the trees and how they are attached to the rock. Kimura san showed this in an article in Bonsai Today and in one of his two books. This immaghe was photographed by me two years ago.”
Thanks Alan.