Boon’s Black Pine, Before & After

A Japanese black pine after some serious trimming. If you look at the photo just below, you might notice that there has also been some serious needle reduction. The tree and the photos in this post belong to Boon Manakitivipart (aka Bonsai Boon). Yesterday we featured Boon, our famous bonsai teacher to the teachers, so why not just keep going? We’re on vacation, so both yesterday’s and today’s (June 2014) are from our archives. The first two photos shown here provide a simple before and after on a Japanese black pine. As you can see it’s a remarkable tree. I … Continue reading Boon’s Black Pine, Before & After

Bonsai by Boon

This Sierra juniper by Boon Manakitivipart is one of three trees by Boon that appears in the gallery section of our Masters’ Series Juniper book. Still on vacation. Right now it’s California’s Central Coast, with its Elephant seals and pure blue sunny skies (last time I checked it was 50 degrees and raining at home). Anyway, vacation time is usually archive time. This one is originally from November, 2015. Boon Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon) is a well-known and highly respected bonsai artist and teacher (a teacher’s teacher). He also has the distinction of having three of his trees in our Juniper … Continue reading Bonsai by Boon

The Tao of Bonsai

This famous three-tiered tree, is a good example of how a bonsai can express both movement and stillness. All three tiers, bottom, top and middle move to the right, yet the overall effect is one of balance and stillness. Our friend and associate Robert Steven is the artist. This post originally appeared in February, 2011. It’s one of dozens of Bark posts on the bonsai of Robert Steven, a long time leader in promoting and advancing the art of bonsai. The trees shown here are from Robert’s facebook photos. Bonsai Wire Special 500 gram rolls Only 9.50 each A simple … Continue reading The Tao of Bonsai

The Tao of Bonsai

Little Bonsai Beans

The sweet little Japanese maple belongs to Hiroshi Kunii. Hiroshi calls the pot Maru (circle in Japanese). The tiniest bonsai are called Mame in Japanese (bean in English) and the little trees shown here certainly qualify. They (including the pots) are by Hiroshi Kunii, who is new to us. A noble addition to our list of Japanese bonsai artists and potters. NEW Bonsai Wire Special 500 gram rolls Only 9.50 each 20% to 30% off Selected Bonsai Tools see below Here’s part of Hiroshi’s caption (computer translated from Japanese)… Lesser Spindle (Euonymus Alatus), Shooting date: May 18, 2017, Height: … Continue reading Little Bonsai Beans

Flowering Bonsai & an American in Tokyo

Not a prize winner, but still a mind stopper. Here’s what Bill Valavanis has to say about this remarkable quince: “An unusual cultivar of Japanese flowering quince. This is NOT the Toyo Nishiki cultivar, but rather ‘Takane Nishiki’. Beautiful flowers, unusual container, but I personally do not like the design of the bonsai, so enjoyed the blossoms.” Vacation time is archive time (with some new posts thrown in). This one is from July, 2011. I was looking for something more on Doug Paul’s Kennett Collection (see yesterday). The tree below is his, and the tree above has beautiful flowers and … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai & an American in Tokyo

A Very Impressive North American Bonsai Collection

Fantastic tree! It belongs to Doug Paul (Mr. Kennett Collection). This photo is from the famous Kokufu Exhibition in Tokyo. It’s a great honor to have a tree accepted to Kokufu; only a handful of North Americans have had that honor. Today we’ve got a few photos from Doug Paul’s Kennett Collection, no doubt one of the foremost bonsai collections in North America. The collection – with the exception of any trees Doug keeps in Japan -resides in Kennett Square PA. Continued below… NEW Lower Prices on Bonsai Aesthetics Wire with many sizes individually discounted as well 100 gram – … Continue reading A Very Impressive North American Bonsai Collection

Master Bonsai Potter Gyozan Nakano

I don’t know who styled this wild looking azalea (I don’t read Japanese) but I do know that Master Potter Gyozan Nakano made the pot. Here’s an old one from our archives (July, 2009) that I like. I’ve done a little editing – mostly cringe reduction – but the photos and most of the text are the same. A few years ago I was given a remarkable book by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, who had received it courtesy of Masahiro Tokuo (President of Kindai Publishing). Since then, it has spent most of its time sitting on my shelf, though … Continue reading Master Bonsai Potter Gyozan Nakano

Two Trees, Quick & Easy

The pot is cut off, but this lush Shimpaku with its strong shari and those expressive little jin, is okay without it… for the moment at least. This tree and the other shown here belong to Mariusz Folda. Mariusz’ bonsai are becoming regulars on Bonsai Bark I’m flying out West today, so we’ll make this one quick and easy. Just two trees with a close up of each. Both full sized photos are from Mariusz Folda’s facebook timeline. The cropping for the closeups was done by our crack Bonsai Bark staff (that’s me) Continued below… NEW LOWER PRICES ON BONSAI … Continue reading Two Trees, Quick & Easy

Dancing with Dragons

Peter Krebs calls this shot Azaleas-Virtual. I’m guessing this means he put the tree and the pot together on his computer and that in real time/space they exist separately. Beyond that… and how nicely they go together… that’s all we’ve got to go on. I’ve long admired Peter Krebs’ pots (here’s your proof) and it’s past due time to do some more admiring. These photos and Peter’s captions are from Peter’s facebook timeline. Peter also has a website where you can peruse and even buy his pots. NEW LOWER PRICES ON BONSAI TOOLS 10% to 30% Lower Roshi Bonsai Tools … Continue reading Dancing with Dragons