Bark

Red Hot but Very Cool Summer Bonsai Book Sale

Set of five bonsai classics. Retail 144.75. Previously 79.00. Now only 59.00 for the set. Discounted discount prices We’ve been lowering book prices for a while now. Now we’re taking a big leap and lowering some of them way below our previous low prices. A drop in the bucket We’re only showing some of your great discounts here. If you get a chance, peruse our bonsai books on our website for even more. Our peruse our entire website for deep discounts on other items as well. Set of our two most popular books. Retail 59.90. Now only 29.95 for the … Continue reading Red Hot but Very Cool Summer Bonsai Book Sale

Robert Steven Critique & An Intoxicated Debate

Sake fueled debate? Are these two old Chinese sages engaged in a raging (and perhaps intoxicated) philosophical debate? (Speaking of: Monday’s NYTimes has a somewhat interesting article/debate about Western vs non-Western philosophy for the two of you who might be interested in such things.) But I digress. What you are really looking at is a Robert Steven simulation of a tree that was submitted by Mr Zhang Bing for critique. Singing Robert’s praises We’ve been singing praises for Robert Steven’s bonsai, bonsai simulations and books for a long time. Here’s why; Robert provides insights about bonsai and especially Penjing that … Continue reading Robert Steven Critique & An Intoxicated Debate

Making a Point with Deadwood

Going down? There’s a lot to love about this old tree: that little piece of wood that hangs over the edge of the pot, the remarkable texture and color of the bark and the way the powerful old trunk seems to cling to the pot. There’s also the fact that the tree is a Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis), not your everyday bonsai species. And then there’s that remarkable jin that seems to be unconcerned if it fits or doesn’t fit with the rest of the tree. The tree belong to Greg Brenden. The photo is from the 2010 2nd … Continue reading Making a Point with Deadwood

FREE Bonsai Scissors & Shears

FREE BONSAI SCISSORS How would you like a pair of FREE Bonsai & All-purpose Scissors? All you have to do is place an order for at least $25 at Stone Lantern and put FREE SCISSORS in the comments when you order. FREE BONSAI SCISSORS x 2 Or, even better, you can have 2 pairs of FREE Bonsai & All-purpose Scissors if you order at least $50 at Stone Lantern (one to keep and one to give to a friend) and put FREE SCISSORS in the comments when you order. FREE SATSUKI SHEARS plus FREE SCISSORS x 2 Or, even better … Continue reading FREE Bonsai Scissors & Shears

Nick’s Bonsai & FREE ITEMS Last Day

I know many of you have already seen this somewhat unruly apple, but many of you haven’t. Either way, it’s a very distinctive bonsai, and it’s flowering no less! You can find it on the back cover of Nick Lenz’ landmark book on collecting, Bonsai from the Wild. Larch master Lenz It seems like high time to return to our old friend Larch Master Nick Lenz. Especially since we just received some new photos of some of Nick’s trees from Candy Shirey, who is now their proud owner. This isn’t the first time we’ve featured bonsai of Nick’s that now … Continue reading Nick’s Bonsai & FREE ITEMS Last Day

Massive Trunk, Beautiful Pot & Much More (FREE ITEMS too)

To my eyes, this is a stupendous tree. So stupendous that nothing more needs to be said and you need not read any further… unless you need help seeing the obvious. If you do need help, then you might notice that when you combine this tree’s unusually generous size and spread with its highly refined ramification (all the way out to the tiniest twigs), the aged character written on the surface of the trunk and the clutch of its many fingered nebari (on a lesser tree this nebari would completely steal the show); its easy to see that it’s much … Continue reading Massive Trunk, Beautiful Pot & Much More (FREE ITEMS too)

FREE! Bonsai Wire, Scissors, Fertilizer & Other Good Stuff

FREE! These items are FREE when you order from Stone Lantern (and you put FREE ITEMS in the comments when you order). The more you order, the more FREE ITEMS you get. You must put ‘FREE ITEMS’ IN THE COMMENTS when you order. If you do not put FREE ITEMS in the comments, then you will not get any. DON’T FORGET! Shipping costs are not included in determining your order amount.         FREE BONSAI WIRE: With orders from 1.00 to 20.00 (not including shipping), we will throw in one free 100gram 4.5mm roll of bonsai wire (photo … Continue reading FREE! Bonsai Wire, Scissors, Fertilizer & Other Good Stuff

Restyling a Mugo, Offing a Shari, Bonsai Tourists, More Bonsai Rafting & Some Excellent Events

This old beauty is one of hundreds of quality bonsai that was featured at the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Nikko Satsuki Azalea that belongs to The Kennett Collection. It originally belonged to Kunio Kobayashi who started it by planting smaller trees next to each other. The 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition takes place June 9th and 10th in Rochester NY. It’s not too late to sign up.   Now half price. Order this collector’s set from the first two U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions and save 50%   It’s not a bonsai, but it is a sweet photo. … Continue reading Restyling a Mugo, Offing a Shari, Bonsai Tourists, More Bonsai Rafting & Some Excellent Events

Naturalistic? Not Exactly

Here’s a Kimura tree that I’ve never seen. This, and the other photos in this post are from Owen Reich on facebook. Owen lives in Japan and takes bonsai photos. In addition to his facebook offerings Owen has a blog that is rich with excellent photos. Not so naturalistic It’s not my intention to reopen the old naturalistic versus sculptural bonsai debate. It’s just that when you look at some of Masahiko Kimura‘s bonsai, the question seems to arise on its own; his highly refined deadwood-dominant bonsai stand in contrast to what you find in nature. Beyond that, I don’t … Continue reading Naturalistic? Not Exactly

Bonsai Sculpture, a Wonderful Video & Great NEW Tools

Sculpture. What comes to mind when I look at this manicured Buddleja is ‘sculptural bonsai.’  Though I don’t think it would ever be admitted to Kokufu-ten (Japans most famous bonsai exhibition) I do think it has something going for it. I especially like the wavy pot and the fluid split trunk (or is that two trunks?). It’s from Higurashi Jardineria Creativa on facebook. Here’s their website. Take a look. Have you seen this video yet? If you haven’t, or even if you have, take a look. And then sign up for the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition.   Simplicity. Here’s … Continue reading Bonsai Sculpture, a Wonderful Video & Great NEW Tools