After. From a demo by Masahiko Kimura at the 11 ASPAC. (Asia Pacific Bonsai & Suiseki Convention) in Takamatsu Japan. It helps to start with great stock. It also helps to be Masahiko Kimura. Photo by Jonas Dupuich (Bonsai Tonight).
Still magic after all these years
Just in case might think that the not-so-old Master has lost his touch. It does help to start with great stock, but taking that great stock to the next level requires vision and a deft touch. Especially when the next level is accomplish in a single demonstration.
Japanese demos and Western demos
The photos in this post are borrowed from Jonas Dupuich of Bonsai Tonight (with some cropping on my part). Here’s what Jonas has to say about this demonstration: “I’d been curious how demonstrations in Japan differ from the demos I’ve attended closer to home. It turns out they aren’t that different. Bonsai professionals took breaks from their work to talk about the trees while assistants kept busy. Kimura’s demo involved some minor carving and a few large bends that resulted in a pleasing silhouette.”
Cropping
I sometimes feel just a little guilty when I crop Jonas’ photos. His photos are so good, so why bother? The simple answer is size. Our format is 680 pixels wide. His enlarged format is 1024 pixels, so he can afford more space around the trees and still show good detail. In our case, I usually opt for a closer view and more detail.
Before. As already mentioned; it helps to start with great stock.
Kimura wielding the bonsai weapon he made famous. This close-up is cropped from the photo below. Kimura’s assistant is Shigeo Isob, a bonsai artist in his own right.
A panoramic view with a little behind-the-scenes quality. And then there’s the large screen in back.
The Magician, the Bonsai Art of Kimura 2. On special at Stone Lantern.