Some Astoundingly Brilliant Bonsai, though…

Though this extraordinary bonsai is unidentified (and unattributed), still I’m confident that it’s a Japanese beech. I’m also confident that it makes its home in Japan. For a little perspective on just how massive this tree is, there’s that partial human torso on the right. The original shows the whole human, but I’ve taken the liberty to slice him up a bit in an attempt to limit distraction (the original is below). All the photos shown here were posted by Tae-Kukiwon-Bonsai (aka Eduardo Mourão Guedes) and even though they are unnamed and unattributed, I couldn’t resist. In case you are wondering, … Continue reading Some Astoundingly Brilliant Bonsai, though…

FREE Bonsai & All-Purpose Scissors

Our amazingly sharp and durable All-Purpose Scissors are now FREE with your Stone Lantern order of at least 15.00 (but only if you put FREE Scissors in the comments when you check out). Our list price is 9.95 each and our discounted price 6.95 each, though given just how good they are, they are worth a whole lot more. Here’s what you have to do to receive yours. Place an order for at least 15.00 at Stone Lantern and put FREE Scissors in the comments when you check out. No FREE Scissors in the comments, then no FREE scissors. Want … Continue reading FREE Bonsai & All-Purpose Scissors

An Impressive Collection of Small Bonsai

These delicious little trees (shohin bonsai) are all from Cliff Chong’s bonsai gallery. Cliff lives and practices the art of bonsai in Malaysia. We originally featured this impressive Shohin collection in July 2015. Two New Stone Lantern Sales 25% off Koyo Bonsai Tools (in addition to our ongoing 25% off Roshi Tool Sale) 25% off 500 gram rolls Bonsai Aesthetics Wire (comes to only 9.38 per roll) plus FREE Shipping U.S. orders 49.00 or more

Laid-Back Scot’s Pine

This comfortably laid back bonsai is a Scot’s pine. Its feeling of relaxed informality is accentuated by the somewhat shaggy foliage and overall barely-touched-by-human-hands look. We always have an eye out for trees that are both compelling and unusual and I think this one fits the bill. It belongs to Pierre Robbach (Tenkei Bonsai Club, Mulhouse, France). I found the photo on Jean-Paul Polmans’ facebook feed. Jean-Paul is also associated with Tenkei. This is what sprung to mind when I saw the tree at the top of the post. It’s Nick Lenz’ famous Penelope. The tree is an American … Continue reading Laid-Back Scot’s Pine

Brilliant Bonsai, Brilliant Books

Daring and brilliant. I think the daring part is combining such a strong and unique pot with such a brilliant little flowering tree. Each could stand on its own, no problem. But together the brilliance is multiplied. Based on the flowers, I’d say the tree is a quince. The photos trees and pots shown here all belong to Michiko Koide. I don’t know much about Michiko Koide and google didn’t help. All I could find is her facebook timeline. Turns out, based on the photos, that’s plenty. Our Brilliant Bonsai Book Sale ends tomorrow night. 30% off our already discounted … Continue reading Brilliant Bonsai, Brilliant Books

Another ‘Newly Discovered’ Bonsai Artist

Landscape bonsai by Juan Llaga. Juan doesn’t say what kind of tree or how large it is. Still, it’s easy enough to enjoy, with or without the vital statistics. Just the other day we featured a post from the Philippines (photos courtesy of Bill Valavanis). Now we have another, and even though I found the sources independently, it turns out they are related by more than just the Philippines. I always enjoy discovering previously unknown (to me) bonsai artists. This time it’s Juan Llaga of the Philippines. All the photos shown here are from Juan facebook feed. Same planting as … Continue reading Another ‘Newly Discovered’ Bonsai Artist

Be Careful! Pinching Might Be Deadly

Was this foliage pinched in order to achieve that dense, perfectly refined shape and texture? The answer, according to Michael Hagedorn is an emphatic NO! Except when it isn’t. The image is borrowed from our Masters’ Series Juniper Bonsai book. I’ve been ripping off valuable tidbits from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai for a long time (always attributed and linked of course). Micheal is a noted American bonsai artist, teacher and author and a voice for a common sense approach to bonsai. Continued below… Michael Hagedorn’s famous Post-Dated Still the best bonsai read in the English language Back in 2012 Michael … Continue reading Be Careful! Pinching Might Be Deadly

Powerful Jaw Dropping Bonsai Six Months Later

The second place tree at last fall’s Artisans Cup. It’s a Sierra Juniper that belongs to Tim Priest. The other winners are below (if you’re wondering why we’re leading with the second place tree… we’ll we’ve already lead a post with the winner and I’m not so sure I care that much about winners (and by extension losers) anyway. Which begs the question… It has been a few days short of six months since the Artisans Cup; a ground breaking event at the Portland Art Museum that featured more powerful jaw dropping bonsai than most people will ever see in … Continue reading Powerful Jaw Dropping Bonsai Six Months Later

Taming & Redirecting Growth on a Shohin Japanese Black Pine

After styling. The tree is a Cork bark Japanese black pine. The hand belongs to the Ben Gliffin. If you compare this photo with the before photo just below, you can see some real progress with needle thinning and reduction. You might also notice how Ben has left the needles on the far left longer than the needles on top. This will encourage vigor in the direction of the longer needles. The sweet little tree featured here is a Shohin Cork bark Japanese black pine that belongs to Ben Gliffin. If you know Japanese black pines you also know that … Continue reading Taming & Redirecting Growth on a Shohin Japanese Black Pine

Tiny Bonsai, Tiny Pots

There are few things more delicate and beautiful than fresh spring Maple leaves (Trident maple in this case). This exquisite tree and exquisite pot are perfect expressions of the artistry of Haruyoshi. Out of town and running late today, so we’ll dip back into our archives. This one originally appeared April, 2014. It features a few of Haruyosi’s exquisite small bonsai. If you’ve been following Bark for a while, you know that Haruyosi is one of our favorites. Red on red. In our last Haruyosi post (Very Red and Very Rare), we mentioned that red glazes are expensive and not … Continue reading Tiny Bonsai, Tiny Pots