Pretty Good, But Not Good Enough

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Pemphis acidula that was submitted by Nurul Fajri (the original photo is below). When I opened my email from Robert Steven and glanced at the before photo (below), I thought it was the after photo. But only for a moment. It’s the pot that gave it away. The rest looked pretty good. Beyond pretty good actually (some of us might trade our entire collections for a tree like this). But not good enough for Robert who always seems to find ways to improve any bonsai (maybe we should challenge him improve a Kimura masterpiece… just … Continue reading Pretty Good, But Not Good Enough

Making an Apex Look Like an Apex

After. Compacting the apex of a Japanese white pine. Borrowed without permission from our friend and teacher, Michael Hagedorn (can you really borrow something without permission?). The before photo is below. It has been a while since we plundered from Crataegus. It’s the before and after apex that caught my attention (the other photos are just for the fun of it). Reason being, that for many of us, figuring out how to make an apex look like an apex is no mean feat. Maybe this will help. A little slice of Crataegus Bonsai. Those doors lead into Michael’s spacious … Continue reading Making an Apex Look Like an Apex

Less Is Still Enough

Shimpaku juniper. This photo is titled ‘Shugaten 2013 – Tokyo Ueno.’ Guillaume Billaud posted it on facebook. I’m not sure I need to say anything about this magnificent little bonsai except that that’s a whole lot of tree to fit into such a small pot and I’m delighted that someone bothered. BTW: Shugaten is being held right now (until the end of this month). Shohin again (see our previous post). Enough said for now… Shohin Pyracantha with yellow berries. A couple things jump out. First are the luminous berries. Without these, I don’t think we’d bother. With these, we’d … Continue reading Less Is Still Enough

Less Is Enough

I think this one qualifies as Mame (‘bean’ in Japanese). Bonsai-wise, mame is a common word for the very smallest bonsai. I found it on Pinterest. It says Repinned via Luciano Guimarães. I’m not sure exactly what that means but my best guess is that this tree does not belong to Luciano. The photo had the Bonsai Empire logo in the corner (now cropped out to magnify the tree), but I couldn’t find it on their site. In any case it’s a sweet little gem and so’s the pot. “Shohin are small bonsai. When compared to large bonsai, shohin cost … Continue reading Less Is Enough

NEW Roshi Bonsai Tools

NEW 6″ Butterfly Shears by Roshi Bonsai Tools. These powerful, compact high carbon steel shears are excellent for top pruning or root pruning. They are also excellent all-purpose household and garden shears with any number of uses well beyond bonsai. The list price is 28.00. Now on special for only 18.00. Eight brand NEW Roshi Bonsai Tools just arrived here at Stone Lantern. This brings our Roshi total to 33. All of our Roshi Tools are reduced way below list and some are now on special (aka double discounted). Take a look. You’ll like what you see. And just in … Continue reading NEW Roshi Bonsai Tools

So Fine & Just a Tad Controversial

Japanese maple from Seiko-en Bonsai Garden in Omiya Village, Japan. From Fine Bonsai. Art and Nature. Value added It’s time to resurrect another favorite from our illustrious past. This time with some value added in the form of a few new words and three new photos (including the one above). First the new words: Fine Bonsai is a tad controversial. Some people give it a big shrug (or worse), while some others (like me) are very enthusiastic. I think the shrugs may miss the point. This is not a tradition bonsai art book. Rather, it’s a photographic art book, with … Continue reading So Fine & Just a Tad Controversial

Circling Back to Needle Junipers

This luscious Needle juniper turned up on Juan Andrade’s latest facebook post. Juan is (or was?) an apprentice at Bonsai Aichien in Japan, where this tree resides. BTW, we featured a Before, During and After post by Juan exactly one month ago. Don’t be misled by the title; this is not another trip back into our archives, though the second tree in this post is from an earlier bark post. The rest of the photos are all originals for us. It has been over three years since we devoted a whole post to just Needle junipers (Juniperus rigida). This juniper … Continue reading Circling Back to Needle Junipers

FREE Once Again, but ONLY if…

Three of the seven FREE items that we are offering. All you have to do is place an order with Stone Lantern for at least 25.00 AND put FREE in the comments box when you check out. Here’s the deal: You must put FREE in the comments box at check out when you order with Stone Lantern or you will NOT receive the free items. Also, shipping cost are not included in order size. This offer ends Sunday, November 10th at midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Here’s what you get (if you remember to put FREE in the comments box)… … Continue reading FREE Once Again, but ONLY if…

2014 Bonsai & Japanese Garden Calendars

A close-up of part of the January page of our brand new 2014 Bonsai Calendar. They’re here, just off the boat from Japan. As usual, a little later than we would have liked (remind me next year to order them in April rather than July), but still, plenty of time before this year slinks (or bounds, depending upon your disposition) away into that place we call history. 2014 Bonsai Calendars Enjoy 26 world-class specimen bonsai trees while you keep track of the date. As each month passes. you can cut off the dates and enjoy attractive wall hangings in your … Continue reading 2014 Bonsai & Japanese Garden Calendars

Kokufu 2014 – Time to Get Busy

I don’t think you need me to point out that this is a great tree. Or, for that matter that it’s a great photograph (web photos this sharp aren’t all that common). It’s a Japanese black pine from Announcing the 2014 88th Kokufu ten Bonsa Exhibition on Bill Valavanis’ excellent new blog. If you haven’t already made plans to visit Kokufu ten 2014, it’s time to get busy. It will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery, February 4th – 12th. Just in case you are new to the wonderful world of bonsai, Kokufu is the most renowned bonsai … Continue reading Kokufu 2014 – Time to Get Busy