After. A very unusual tree with three trunks merging into one thicker trunk (you can just see a small piece of the third trunk). You could say the reviled RT word (reverse taper) but who cares? By Juan Andrade. From facebook.
Just couldn’t pass this one up. This Japanese white pine transformation is so unusual and the result so striking and unique, that… well, you can see for yourself.
The artist, Juan Andrade is one of a whole host of young apprentices who are studying or have studied in Japan. At least one other bonsai by Juan has appeared on Bark (see below). The before, during and after (antes, durante y después) photos are from a photo album on facebook.
The progression. It’s clear that plenty happens that you can’t see. For example, how on earth did he get the left trunk to cooperate? Guess you’ll just have to use your imagination.
Before. From this to what you see above is no mean feat. There’s that pesky bowed out left trunk for starters, but clearly there’s much more.
During. Still in the same pot, but leaned over.
Una Acacia es una Acacia en en cualquier idioma. Es de un sitio web llamado Bonsai en Costa Rica. El Artisto es Juan Andrade. From Bonsai Bark, February 2012.
It’s all an illusion. In the first picture the tree is leaning backwards, although it isn’t apparent in the photo. After turning it almost 90º the backward slant becomes a lateral slant, the errant “trunk” (in fact one of three exposed roots) appears to become closer to its brethren. Look carefully at the feet of the pot, the spread and entry points of the nebari, and you’ll see what I mean. Crafty, huh?
Neat tree. In my mind’s eye, I envision making a rock (out of ceramic,”super-tufa”,
or feather rock),around which the roots could insinuate. Just another ‘chef’s’ taste.
Is it just me or could the original neagari form have been kept intact? Michael Markoff’s idea of root over rock is equally appealing. A little carving around the reverse taper could have remedied this defect. The breadth and openess of the three loose roots reminds me of trees I’ve seen in nature where riparian erosion sculpts beautifully exposed roots.
Hello Wayne and all! First of all thanks for featuring this work on your site! I just wanted to share the story behind this tree and let the cat out of the bag ;) Neagari (exposed root) white pines are actually quite common in this area of Japan (Nagoya) and more often than not they are bent to improve proportions (as in “make more compact”) and to close any wide gaps between the exposed roots.
This tree was bent alright. It was actually bent very hard!! Let me explain: It wanted to make a dynamic tree, which is the preference of the nursery in which I am currently apprenticing (Aichi-En). Anticipating the very strong bend, I secured the Nebari in place with copper wire to make sure the root-ball would not shift one bit. I set up an anchor point for a jack and a stainless steel guy wire affixed to the pot’s drain hole (I include a link to this step below). Now, when bending, some of the exposed roots actually cracked!! It’s quite OK to crack branches into place with white pine so why not roots? :) Less than 50% crack is considered safe zone here in Nagoya…
You can see that the right side entry points of the nebari have not been moved around and remain in the same position in the pot. Likewise, the shari in the central root presents the same angle to the viewer as the original before picture. Yet, the left side of the nebari shifted up quite a bit. If I had not secured tight, half the root-ball would have been left exposed in mid-air as I tightened the jack!! Now the genius part came later from my Oyakata: After the bending work was completed, he checked the guy wires for tightness and said: “NO MEANING .. CUT!!!” Sure enough , the guy wires were no longer necessary as the cracks in the roots had already set the trunk in its new angle, so every prop (guy wires, copper anchors) was removed. Styling was rather quick, but my Oyakata seemed pleased with it :D I hope you all enjoyed this as well. The tree eventually was taken to Auction where it quickly found a new home with another Bonsai professional.
Cheers!
Juan
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=648952671789577&set=a.381876365163877.93194.100000245505222&type=1&relevant_count=1
Thank Juan,
It’s always nice to hear from the artist. Who better to clarify what’s happened?
Thanks Colin,
I think you are 100% correct. It’s always good to hear from a keen eyed old pro who pays attention to the little things.
-w
Hi Michael and Owen,
Always good to hear from our old time followers. Yeah, root over rock was a good option, as were other possibilities, though looking at the tree at is it is, it’s hard not to lean towards (so to speak) Juan’s actual solution. Still, it’s good to know someone is paying attention and that our posts can still provoke a some creative imagination. Viva bonsai!
Hi Juan again,
Forgot to say that, even though a range of solutions were available, your solution and the attention to detail and skill that it took to execute, provide the kind of inspiration for out readers (and for me) that help make almost five years of blogging worth while.