Though it’s usually considered bad form to lop off part of the pot, in this case it’s all about the color (and the wildly expressive trunk). The variety is listed as Issho-no-haru. This and the rest of the photos in this post are from the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
A few posts back we launched a discussion about the relative merits of bonsai in North America and Europe (Comparisons Are Odious, But Still…). The discussion was continued in two subsequent posts (here and here)
I expected my remarks might get me into a little hot water, but there was really nothing except one otherwise reasonable comment that concluded with “Be proud to be an American.”
Anyway, at the risk of provoking some disapproval; I think most of us still have something to learn from the Japanese (leaving Penjing and Tropical bonsai out of the discussion for reasons we’ll discuss another time). I say this because I spend a lot of time looking at photos of bonsai from around the world and the truth of the best Japanese bonsai is undeniable.
Which brings us to the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. In particular, a part of their collection of Satsuki azalea bonsai (at least I think these are all Satsuki).
Enough said, we’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Well, the photos and my remarks in the captions (for better or worse).
This variety is labeled Osakazuki. You might notice the massive trunk. Many varieties of Satsuki trunk up very well. So much so that some are shown out of blooming season.
No name is listed for this delicate beauty.
A triple trunk Megumi. Normally you don’t find trunks so evenly spaced in Japanese bonsai, but when it comes to flowers all bets are off.
This one is a Date-murasaki. Like some of the others photos the trunk is deep in the shadows. It’s more about the art of the photograph and beauty of the flowers.
No visible trunk at all on this Chiyo-nishiki. More than a fair share of luscious multi-toned flowers however.
The most complete book (in print) on Satsuki azaleas in English (maybe in any language).