Mario Komsta (Mariusz Janusz Komsta) recently featured this tree with the following caption: "after refinement by Taiga Urushibata, june 2014." We've featured Mario's bonsai numerous times, but this is the first time for Taiga.
To my eye the tree above is an outstanding bonsai. Powerful, with balance, flow and numerous points of interest (my only question is the chopped off looking jin at the top).
Recently a friend mentioned that we’ve been featuring too much deadwood lately. Perhaps he’s correct. There does seem to be a renewed emphasis on creating and carving deadwood. You see massive carved trees everywhere and youtube is brimming with carving videos.
I wonder if my friend’s comment has something to do with the old debate about naturalistic versus stylized bonsai. I suspect most of us have laid that one to rest. Still, controversy that sparks interest and investigation isn’t always a bad thing.
Here's a mind bending bonsai for you. Would you call it abstract? Certainly a highly stylized bonsai with a trunk that's almost all deadwood (the living vein barely shows). It's a juniper (I can't tell the variety) and it belongs to Mario. To enjoy more of Mario Komsta’s impressive bonsai collection, you can visit him on facebook.
A good book to own
if you interested in digging deeply into the how-to of deadwood
25% off Koyo Japanese Bonsai Tool Sale
ends tomorrow (Monday) night
Koyo Tool Sale includes
Koyo Stainless and other Masters Grade Tools