Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Sculpted swan with swooping lines. A work of abstract art. It’s an Itoigawa juniper that belongs to Isao Omachi. A little over five years ago, Isao Omachi’s house and bonsai were washed out to sea. Here’s what he wrote on the anniversary of that terrible day: “Today is 11th March. 5 years has passed since terrible earthquake in Japan. I never forget the day I lost everything. But I could resume my 2nd life thanks to my friend’s support. I can’t express my gratitude in the words. Now I go ahead step by step. Once again, Thank you everybody. I’m … Continue reading Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Root Over by Robert

Robert Steven has done it again. This time it’s a perfect root-over-rock bonsai (I couldn’t find the variety). Here’s what Charles Bevan has to say about it: “This is unbelievably perfect. One quick glance at this tree brought me to a state of nirvana.” The three trees shown here are from Robert Steven’s timeline. No varieties given, and though we would rather know what they are, we can still enjoy simple bonsai beauty, with or without a name. Even though we don’t know what the trees are, one thing we do know about this forest planting is that it is … Continue reading Root Over by Robert

Bonsai & Brad Pitt

Brad Bjorn posing with an impressive (Stewartia?) bonsai. From an article in Architectural Digest titled “Meet the Brad Pitt of Bonsai.” Still looking after my grand kids (and enjoying this fog-shrouded City by the Bay while they’re in school), so to save time and trouble we’ll borrow from our archives. This one appeared last December. We don’t usually feature photos of people. I almost always find people in bonsai photos distracting. Rather than ‘look at me with my beautiful bonsai,’ I prefer ‘look at this beautiful bonsai.’ However, occasionally photos of people with trees work. In this case, because the … Continue reading Bonsai & Brad Pitt

Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai

This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I’ve seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and ‘just so’ deadwood (it’s not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character? To save a little time, we’ll dig back into our archives today (I’m out west watching the grand kids while mom & dad attend the BookExpo America 2016 in Chicago and lunches still need to be made). BTW: this is one of … Continue reading Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai

Great Photos from Our Deeply Discounted Bonsai Books

This luscious Satsuki azalea is one of a multitude of remarkable bonsai photos from the very aptly named, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature. There’s a theme to this large gallery and a method to our madness. All the photos are from bonsai books that we sell and all our books are currently on sale at Stone Lantern. We also offer books on Japanese Gardening and related topics. Bonsai Books 25% off our already discounted prices plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more A piece of the cover of Francois Jeker’s excellent, one-of-a-kind new book (well, almost new). … Continue reading Great Photos from Our Deeply Discounted Bonsai Books

Muscular Bonsai, Muscular Turntable

Old European olives are often full of character as well as muscle, and this one is no exception. I found it on flickr and then, as one thing led to another, I came to the conclusion that this tree belongs to Luis Vallejo (though I couldn’t find evidence on his website). Taking off on a long trip today, so we’ll fall back on our archives again. Actually, this will be the third time for this one, but after yesterday’s post it seems like a good idea to show you one of my favorite olives. There’s something compelling about bonsai with … Continue reading Muscular Bonsai, Muscular Turntable

Olive Bonsai – Massive Trunks, Wild Trees

This European olive is a very substantial tree. But then, substantial European olives are quite common… though olives as substantial and developed as this one aren’t quite so common. Another foray into our archives. This one originally appeared December, 2013. It was titled ‘Wild Trees & Massive Trunks.’ All of the trees in this post are European olives. The photos are from José Gómez del Río on facebook. Another rugged olive with a great trunk and a good pot choice too. This wild unrefined look is typical of olives. As long as we’re on the subject of pots, you … Continue reading Olive Bonsai – Massive Trunks, Wild Trees

Pine Bonsai – Texture, Movement & Color

It’s hard not to notice what a powerful tree this is, even with the apex slightly nipped and most of the pot missing. It’s a Japanese white pine from the 34th Taikan-ten Bonsai Exhibition. Spring bonsai and other chores beckon and time is compressed, so we’ll delve back into our archives today. This one is from December, 2014. All the photos in this post are from the 34th Taikan-ten Bonsai Exhibition (with the exception of the wiring photo just below). Taikan-ten takes place once a year in Kyoto and is considered by most people to be the second most important … Continue reading Pine Bonsai – Texture, Movement & Color

Whirlpool, Dancer & Other Magnificent Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Do you recognize this tree? We devoted a whole chapter to it in our Pine book (Jewel to Whirlpool). The artist is Tomio Yamada (at least at that time). It’s called Uzushio which as you might guess, means whirlpool. Like the other trees in this post, it resides at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. It’s finally spring here in northern Vermont. In addition to bonsai, I have a passion for landscaping and it’s time to mulch (we’ll cover the weeds that are already taking hold and see what happens). So to save some time and get back outside before the … Continue reading Whirlpool, Dancer & Other Magnificent Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Running Around in Circles?

The deadwood on this unusual juniper looks a lot like a spontaneous Zen brush stoke. The photo was posted by John Milton. Here’s his caption: “The final result, not quite sure I pulled ‘Stanley’* off but, did my best. Still very raw as the branches are un-styled grafts without ramification, even though it looks full in the before picture. With some mochikomi** over next couple years, should fill out nicely.” Scroll down for the before photo. John Milton has been an apprentice at Aichi-en under Junichiro Tanaka-San since June 2013. He posted the photo above on his facebook feed three … Continue reading Running Around in Circles?