This Cryptomeria japonica is reminiscent of the unimaginably vast and towering Giant sequoias in California's Sierra Nevada. This effect could be enhanced by photographing it from a little lower (see the photo below), but you still get the drift.
Back very late last night from vacation, so we’ll revisit our archives one more time. This one was originally titled Quiet Dignity (July, 2011).
What great trees. The one above is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. You seldom see a real good formal upright bonsai and you don’t see many good Cryptomeria bonsai either. Especially in the West (as you might expect, they are more common in Japan). Their common name in English is Japanese cedar, even though they’re not really cedars (but then all kinds of trees that are called cedars, aren’t really).
In Michael’s own words “This cryptomeria was one of the standout trees in Boon’s backyard when I studied with him ten years ago. He’s been maintaining it for years. It was originally styled by Mitsuya during one of his visits to the states in the early 90s, and is the most significant cryptomeria I’ve seen in the United States. It’s about a meter tall, and has been developing as a bonsai for about twenty years….” For the whole story, visit Crataegus Bonsai.
Another dignified formal upright. The one is a legendary Japanese white pine and is perhaps the most famous formal upright bonsai in the world. If was restyled by Masahiko Kimura (The Magician) just before this photo was taken in 1997. It appears in our book: Pines, Growing and Styling Japanese Black and White Pines.
25% off Book Sale ends tomorrow (Sunday) night
both of our wire sales also end Sunday night
at 11:59pm EDT
25% off 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Wire
20% off Copper Bonsai Wire