A couple things qualify this bonsai as unusual. First, as you can see, it's got all kind of lines looping and jutting in an almost chaotic fashion. But there's a method to the madness. All the loops and juts not only add interest and excitement, but they come together in a way that creates both balance and tension. Second is the fact that it's a Procumbens juniper. A species that you don't see that often as specimen level bonsai. You do see a lot of dwarf Procumbens as little beginners' trees here in north America, but that's another story.
Yesterday’s post (Tanuki Bonsai – Is It Cheating?) aside from being a little misleading (the question of cheating wasn’t addressed and the lead photo was distinctly not a tanuki) did feature a photo of a tanuki. This got me thinking about how, in the approximately 2,000 Bark posts over the last seven plus years, we’ve barely mentioned tanuki. In fact, a quick search shows only three posts, including yesterdays, that even mention the word. So, long story short, here’s one of them. It’s from November, 2013.
Bjorn Bjorholm is one of several talented Westerners (American in this case) that are currently apprenticing in Japan (remember, this was 2013). We won’t say much more about him than we already have (here, here, here and here), except that the photos you see here present a sampling of some trees that he’s been putting up on facebook (most don’t belong to him, but you might assume he has worked on some of them, if not all of them). The ones I chose are similar in at least on regard; they are all somewhat unusual (a couple may even qualify as eccentric), at least to my eye.
I picked this one because it looks like a Tanuki (Phoenix graft), but it's not (Bjorn is explicate about this). Other than that, it's a great tree that is distinguished by flowing lines enhanced by the open cascading crown.
Speaking of unusual...
I like this tree. It's unlike most bunjin style bonsai with its almost completely straight trunk. But then there's all that movement in the branches and the curlicued jin at the top. It's a Japanese red pine from Bjorn's personal collection.
Would you call this tree a bunjin? Whatever you call it, at least two unusual features stand out. There's that hard-to-miss loop in the middle and then there's that strange, convention-defying jin that juts out to the right. While we're on the subject of jins, the little hanging one on the left is just so sweet. Which begs the question...All of the photos in this post were borrowed from Bjorn Bjorholm’s facebook photos.
25% off Roshi Bonsai Tools
Roshi Bonsai Tools are known for their
precision craftsmanship, beauty and excellent prices
(even at full price)
other Sales at Stone Lantern include
Kilo Bonsai Wire Sale
20% off 1-4 Rolls
25% off 5 or more
20% off Koyo Tools
FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more