This powerful kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) won the Culture Minister’s Prize at the 20th Green Festa Kokubunji bonsai fair (has anyone out there heard of this fair?). It is 19″ (48cm) high and about 55 years old. It is owned by Toyoyuki Hamabata from Takamatsu’s Mure town in Shikoku. It appears at Bonsai World, an English language website from Shikoku Japan.
I won’t say where juniper (looks like a shimpaku) bonsai came from, but will say why we choose it as an eccentric bonsai (see below) after an apology for it being slightly out of focus (it was enlarged a tad too much so it would fit our format). The contest: win a $25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern The first person to tell us whose tree this is and where we can verify that, will win a $25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Please put your answer in the comments below. Eccentric? I realize that eccentric is in the bleary … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai #3 & Contest #8
This California juniper was awarded the Best in Show 2009 at the Midori Bonsai Club‘s 40th annual show. It belongs to Peter Tea and comes to us via Bonsai Tonight (a great name for blog that lives up to it). The photo was taken by Jonas Dupuich, Bonsai Tonight’s author. A tree with a story In addition to the strikingly unusual section of deadwood that looks like it’s leaning against the trunk, this remarkable tree has its own story that involves some bonsai luminaries (Boon and Michael Hagedorn for instance), Boon’s backyard, styling questions and more. Check it out if … Continue reading Bonsai Tonight and Best in Show
This One Seed Juniper (J. monosperma) was collected (see below) and styled by Michael Hagedorn. Michael is the author of Posted Dated, The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk. Michael lives, teaches and practices bonsai in Portland Oregon. His company is Crataegus Bonsai. Comparisons are odious I don’t know that the oft use phrase ‘Comparisons are odious‘ is always true, but I think there is something there. A comparison that has been showing its (odious?) head lately has to do with European vs American (or North American) bonsai. Another is Asian vs Western bonsai.
Here’s the original photo (©2009 Boon Manakitivipart) of Boon admiring one of the most amazing trees anywhere (see our last post if you haven’t already). It was taken by Michael Pitalo (Kneecap Graph X). If you check back to this earlier post, you might think that Boon has a knack for finding extraordinary trees, or at least being photographed with extraordinary trees (we’re waiting for number three as final proof). The tree Okay, we know it’s amazing. The longer you look at it, the more amazing it is. But, we still haven’t identified the species (Sierra juniper?). And we’ll probably … Continue reading Boon’s Big Bonsai: The Original (Plus One)
Boon Manakitivipart takes a good look at an impressive wild specimen just before he digs it up (just kidding). From Boon’s new website. This shot gives you an idea of the scope and size of one of nature’s more impressive trees. I haven’t talked to Boon, so I don’t know the what or where, but my best guess is a juniper somewhere in the Sierra Nevadas. Maybe someone out there can set me straight.
…you could do a lot worse than this one It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in (or near) southern California. For more information visit the Golden State Bonsai Federation website. Pioneer state California, perhaps more than anywhere else outside of Asia (no offense meant to anyone or anywhere else) has been out front in developing the art of bonsai. No doubt a number of factors are responsible, not the least of which is a strong Japanese American community and a growing season that lasts almost forever, with enough sun and heat in one year to last us … Continue reading If You Only Visit One Bonsai Convention This Year…
This simple and clear illustration (from the ABS website) shows how to use a turnbuckle to lower a branch. The turnbuckle is made up of a single strand of wire, a short stick (or short piece of heavy wire) and two rubber pads to protect the branches. Beyond that, it needs no explanation. Thanks to ABS and George Buehler The American Bonsai Society has one of the best basic wiring articles you’ll find anywhere, courtesy of George Buehler (George is the current Vice President of ABS). If you are new to wiring or just want to brush up, you could … Continue reading Green Workshop: ABS’ Wiring Basics
Much Better! Here’s the tree that is featured in our last post, in focus this time. It was sent by Ferry Freriks, who BTW submitted the first tree to our Unique Bonsai Contest. Ferry has done his research and here’s what he came up with: Hello Mr. Schoech, I tried to post a comment on the post of the Taiwanese tree, but after submitting it, the site told me it was “Too spammy”. So instead I’m sending it by e-mail. Here’s the full size picture of this tree: http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net/2004htm/p13.htm ;-) According to the website (http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net, the personal website of one … Continue reading Voila!
In addition to its amazingly fine ramification, this somewhat out of focus tree exhibits a powerful trunk with a strong nebari and a great overall sense of balance. And what looks to be a very interesting pot. It’s from a youtube video entitled Taiwan Bonsai Creator Association. Fine branching This tree is one of the best examples of fine branching (ramification) that you’ll ever see. If the branching were less developed, it would still be a very good tree. As it is, you might say that it’s a unique and wonderful example of what a bonsai can be. Ten thousand … Continue reading Masters Gallery: Out of Focus, But Still…