Almost forgot. We try to attribute whenever we use a borrowed bonsai. The problem is, I can’t remember where we got the sweet little gem JJude is holding (two posts ago) and we want to make right. Anyone? Vote Now and Get a Free $5.00 Gift Certificate It’s so easy! And BTW We’ve just begun a Site Wide Sale (10% to 40% off everything) over on Stone Lantern.
Juniper by Isao Omachi that just appeared on our facebook page. Though you can tell it’s a juniper, no specifics were given except that four of Mr. Omachi’s trees have been accepted in Kokufu-ten (universally recognized as the premier bonsai exhibition in the world). In Isao Omachi’s san’s own words “On January 25th 2010(Kokufu-ten judgement day) I am pleased to inform everyone that my 4 entry’s were accepted into this years 84 show! So I invite anyone who is willing to come see them! Starting on February 9th-17th hope to see you there!” And, in the words of others… The … Continue reading A Great Tree & A Very Interesting Conversation
Bougainvillea. Borrowed from Andolfo Bonsai Studio. Two things stand out; the flowers (actually they are bracts, the little white things are the flowers) and the trunk. You might also notice the how small the pot is relative to the tree. If the purpose of this tree is to show off its colors, then you’d have to say it’s a screaming success. But what if you take away the flowers? Is it still a noteworthy bonsai? Or does that even matter? Are flowering bonsai different? In Japan flowering trees are often designed in ways that show off the flowers first and … Continue reading A Borrowed Bougainvillea Bonsai: Bracts and All
California juniper by Ernie Kuo. This tree was collected by Sam Uyeno in 1985 and later purchased by Mr. Kuo. Height 31″ (79cm). Chinese pot. Photo from Bonsai Today issue 84. A little buzz about Ernie Kuo’s bonsai Ernie Kuo’s trees are impressively dramatic; real eye poppers. Yet, he has his detractors. Some bonsai people find faults in his designs and perhaps his whole approach. If you look closely at the photos, you might pick up on what the criticism is about. Or, you might just be amazed at the power of his trees. For the rest of Ernie’s gallery … Continue reading An Unusual California Juniper Gallery by Ernie Kuo
Lakeside with Lingering Snow, our second in a series of plantings from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic. The trees are the same (cryptomeria) as in our last post from the book (creating a deep ravine planting), the pot is almost the same and the landscape is similar, though this one is softer. The focal point, the large single mountain stone that elevates the planting from good to extraordinary, is enhanced by a little touch of snow. The author doesn’t say what the snow is and it’s hard to tell from the photo. It would be ideal if it were simply part … Continue reading A Lost Treasure #3: Lakeside Planting
The gnarled, cracked deadwood tells this old olive’s story. It’s by Carlos Brandão of Portugal. Height: 7″ (18 cm). Yixing pot. Courtesy of The Art of Bonsai Project. Just back from vacation… There’s almost nothing better than landing in that familiar place we call home after that little break we call vacation. Until you go back to work that is and the magnitude of just how far behind you’ve fallen sinks in (you should see my inbox!). …and just in time However, there’s good news. Michelle at BUNJINJOURNAL.COM has alerted me to a most excellent (really!) shohin gallery at The … Continue reading Back Savers #6: A Connoisseurs Gallery
This powerfully built gem is from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik. It looks like a Benjamina cultivar, though I can’t be sure because my copy of the book is in Vermont and I’m not. On the road number three Still on the road and just have time to put together a little ficus gallery for your enjoyment. Two are from Jerry Meislik’s book, and the other two are from the web. Big ficus fan If you want to grow bonsai indoors (winter or year round), you’ll be hard pressed to find subjects better suited than ficus, though some … Continue reading Bonsai Indoors: Ficus Gallery
This gnarly old Japanese white pine (P. parviflora) is from a Japanese gallery that originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 85. It looks a bit like something you might find on Point Lobos (more about that below). Artist unknown (to us, at least). Somewhere on the Monterey Peninsula in search of sun and trees of distinction Today a friend and I are going to visit Point Lobos. Hyperbole aside, it’s one of the most mind bendingly wildly beautiful places on this planet. I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, here are couple trees plus a taste of what’s in store for the … Continue reading A Couple Bonsai & A Point of Distinction
This planting from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic (see previous post) is quite similar to the planting on the cover (below): same trees (cryptomeria), same (or nearly the same) pot and somewhat similar rocky ravine separating two tree and moss covered areas. The man difference is that this one shows a deep ravine. The rocks that define it represent tall vertical cliffs. How to create a deep ravine saikei The purpose of this section in the original book is to show how to create a deep ravine saikei, just like the one in the photo. In fact, if you look at … Continue reading Saikei: Creating a Planting with a Deep Ravine
I found this old out-of-print classic in Green Apple Books in San Franscisco for ten dollars (minus my family discount – see disclaimer below). It was in near perfect condition after more than forty years (copyright 1967, Kodansha International). The original price was $6.95 (hardcover no less). BTW: Green Apple is one of the best surviving used/new independent bookstores anywhere (disclaimer: my son-in-law is part owner, but this takes away nothing from the fact that it’s a great place and an institution in San Fransisco). I got lucky John Palmer, founder of Bonsai Today and Stone Lantern Publishing mentioned this … Continue reading A Lost Treasure