Shinji Suzuki’s 2010 Prime Minister Award Juniper. Borrowed from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai (the original photo includes the stand – it’s a long story). Michael is an accomplished American bonsai artist and teacher, and the author of Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk.
In Michael’s own words
The following was lifted from Crataegus Bonsai: “My teacher’s juniper from the 2010 Sakafu show has been my favorite since it first came into his studio in 2006, and I was in my last year apprenticing there. The delicacy and naturalness of this meter-high tree has always left me spellbound.
He had clients calling him nonstop asking about it, one of them was so insistent he called a couple times a day, wanting to buy this tree. But Suzuki was determined to save this tree for the Sakafu, and waited and trained it four years before entering it in the professional show. Some of you may remember this tree from photos in my book Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk.”
Greenhouse shot at Shinji Suzuki’s nursery. I like the bark and massive trunk on the pine. It would be interesting to see this tree on display in a few years.
Display area. Also from Suzuki’s nursery.
Translation of the Kanji is Izen no Watakushi Nara, Chigau Sugata ni shiteita kamo shiremasen….Something to the effect that I would have had a slightly different shape previously if I were me…
Sorry not exact but interesting in relation to the outline of the story.
Thanks Jonathan. Looks like it might be a little stab at humor.