An All-Time Favorite

After. Finished for the moment. The challenge was for Masahiko Kimura to style a bunjin (literati) bonsai with only one branch (see below for where he started). Its uniqueness lies in its striking simplicity. It’s a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora). From a December 2009 post and before that from our Masters’ Series The Magician, the Bonsai Art of Kimura 2 (before that it appeared in Bonsai Today issue 69). This tree and its story are among our all-time favorites . Though it’s hard to say what Kimura would have done with this tangled-up bunjin had he not been challenged … Continue reading An All-Time Favorite

Backyard Bonsai 13

A sweet little bonsai workshop surrounded by an attractive display area. This photo and the others in this post are from the Minnesota Bonsai Society website. The exceptional backyard bonsai display shown here is from the Minnesota Bonsai Society website. Unfortunately, the owner of the backyard is a secret for the moment (no name is provided with the photos), though I doubt it will be a secret much longer. In any case, whoever created it is to be applauded. When it comes to structure (the tables and benches, the sweet little workshop and to some extent the landscaping) it has … Continue reading Backyard Bonsai 13

Walter Pall’s Hedge Cutting Method

The Japanese maple that Walter Pall uses to illustrate his ‘hedge-cutting method.’ This photo was taken four years after Walter started working with this tree. The before photo is below. Walter Pall’s hedge-cutting method. Our last post presented a radical approach to soil and feeding by Walter Pall, the great bonsai innovator. This post features another of Walter’s radical innovations. This time it’s about pruning broad leaf bonsai. Before continuing with Walter’s technique, I’ll reintroduce Jim Smith and see if I can bore you with a personal note. I first learned about hedge shearing bonsai from Jim Smith, a highly … Continue reading Walter Pall’s Hedge Cutting Method

Book Review for a Unique & Exceptional New Bonsai Book

The following review of Bill Valavanis’ new Classical Bonsai Art is borrowed from Andy Rutledge’s Bonsai Journal. Andy has a knack for digging into books and bringing out nuggets of gold. In this vein (sorry bout that) Andy’s reviews include good and bad (his own words) sections, though the latter doesn’t really apply in this case. If you get a chance, I recommend that you pay Bonsai Journal a visit. You won’t be disappointed. Classical Bonsai Art, A Half Century of Bonsai Study – The Creations & Passions of William N. Valavanis Review by Andy Rutledge “Immersing oneself in … Continue reading Book Review for a Unique & Exceptional New Bonsai Book

Three Famous Bonsai Books Are Back

These three popular Haskill Creek bonsai books are back in print after being gone for about a year. One of the great things about these books is that each topic is completely unique. You simply won’t find the subjects covered in any other bonsai books. To thank you for your patience, we are offering these 3 Haskill Creek (now a division of Stone Lantern) classics at a special price of only 48.85 for all 3. The list price for all three is 70.85. which mean you save 22.00 off of list (9.00 off our our individually discounted prices – see … Continue reading Three Famous Bonsai Books Are Back

The Beast of Bare-Boned Bonsai

Japanese beech forest on a curved slab. From Bonsai Today issue 24. Artist unknown. Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), with their striking white bark, strong trunks (often with excellent nebari) and beautiful smallish leaves, are a favorite of many bonsai artists, especially in Japan. Unfortunately, they aren’t that easy to find her in North America and our native beech (Fagus grandifolia), though a sweet and prolific tree is too rangy and large-leafed to make for very good bonsai (the European beech, Fagus sylvatica, which you can find, is a much better bet). All the trees in this post are Japanese beech … Continue reading The Beast of Bare-Boned Bonsai

Great Bonsai, Great Photos

We’ve featured this tree before, but now I can’t find it (read, just back from vacation, too much to do and don’t want to be bothered). It looks kinda Ilex like, but neither my guessing skills nor my memory are up to much. Anyway, it’s a great little tree (if you can take your eyes off the pot long enough to see it… which is not to say that I don’t like the pot, because I really like it and I also think it’s a daring choice for the tree). This photo and all the photos in this post are … Continue reading Great Bonsai, Great Photos

A Quick Study in Deadwood

It’s all about the deadwood (and the crown). Deadwood is sometimes overplayed, especially on Shimpaku. But even though the deadwood is dominant on this tree, the powerful and well constructed crown offers a good sense of balance. All three photos in this post are from Marco Invernizzi’s website. I’m still on vacation, so we’ll make no pretense of in-depth analysis of deadwood this morning (not that we ever do much in-depth analysis of anything). Just three photos of Shimpaku from Marco Invernizzi’s website with a few quick comments and a little word from our sponsor. Marco Invernizzi studied extensively with … Continue reading A Quick Study in Deadwood

A Mind Bending Transformation

You’ll never guess what happened to this tree (unless you’ve seen our Masters’ Series Juniper book or Bonsai Today issue 21). Here’s a hint: it was flipped upside down somewhere along the way from where it started (below) to where it ended (above). The artist is Masahiko Kimura, aka The Magician. Bonsai Today back issues and our Masters’ Series books present literally hundreds of bonsai techniques. Some are quite simple and suitable for any beginner. Many others are fairly advanced, though doable if you pay close attention and take your time. And then there are the few techniques that no … Continue reading A Mind Bending Transformation

More Root-on-Rock Bonsai & What’s the Difference?

This is what can happen when you have a great rock and excellent plant material to work with (a little skill doesn’t hurt either). It’s by Norboru Kaneko, from our Masters’ Series Juniper book. Last post we featured the development of a root-on-rock planting by Norboru Kaneko from our Masters’ Series Juniper book. Here are two more of his plantings (top and bottom) plus one from Andolfo Bonsai for your enjoyment. If you search for root-on-rock bonsai, what you’ll find, with a few exceptions, are root-over-rock bonsai. I suspect the reason for this is that root-over-rock, though they take longer, … Continue reading More Root-on-Rock Bonsai & What’s the Difference?