One very muscular Shimpaku juniper. From Reiner Vollmari’s photo gallery.
Hiding the action
This wonderfully powerful bonsai presents a bit of a mystery. The live wood that peaks out in the V at the top of the shari is quite well developed, as is the entire crown, and would require at least one or two large living veins to support all that life. The small living vein in the front, though quite striking against the massive deadwood, is completely unconvincing. This is not a complaint, I like this tree a lot. It is unique in its strength and its style. Still, much of the action must be hidden in back. Too bad we can’t turn it around.
Speaking of muscular. Okatsune tools are among the very best in the world and these bypass shears are no exception. I use mine for large bonsai cuts (top and roots), in the field collecting, in my garden and for my fingernails (just kidding, though I bet they’d work). They come in two sizes: Eight inch and seven inch. Both are discounted right now, as is pretty much everything at Stone Lantern.
Tanuki graft?
Hi Jorge,
Yeah. I was wondering the same. It may well be. Still, I have nothing against Tanuki (Phoenix grafts). Even Kimura has done them.
More thoughts on Tanuki. The more I look at it, the more I’m thinking it would be very unusual to see a Shimpaku with a natural trunk that thick. So, unless we hear otherwise, let’s assume it is a Tanuki.