Japan

There are no words…..

What’s with Taiwan? Lo Min Hsuan (& Friends)

A little change of pace. The tree on the right (Elaeagnus Pungens) has the mark of Min. At least the Lo Min Hsuan many of us have come to know. The lilac Crape myrtle in full bloom provides a touch of wildness, freedom and color. From the 2008 Taiwan Bonsai Creators Exhibition. Look out for Taiwan A friend of mine who is a computer engineer and often works in Taiwan with Taiwanese engineers, says that they are poised to rule the world (okay, a little exaggeration), that many of them, especially the younger ones, are brilliant, fearless and wildly creative … Continue reading What’s with Taiwan? Lo Min Hsuan (& Friends)

Some of the World’s Best Bonsai Are Right Here

Winter display, from the Chinese collection at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington DC. Trident maple by Quinquan Zhao. A trip well worth taking We’ve been encouraging people to visit our National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for a long time (way back to the days when we published Bonsai Today). We’ll keep doing it until you go visit (if you’ve already been, tell your friends). It’s worth the trip and you can drop by the Smithsonian while you’re at it. Or the Lincoln Memorial. Or… A borrowed shot to whet your appetite The photo above is from the … Continue reading Some of the World’s Best Bonsai Are Right Here

A Very Short Apprenticeship with Mr Fukano

There are few flowers in the world as pure as the quince flower. This one is from Mr. Shigero Fukano’s bonsai nursery (Yorozu-en) in Kawaguchi Japan. This photo, and the next photo are by Michelle Dougherty. Michelle’s most excellent week I just stumbled upon a great post by Michelle at Bunjin Journal. It’s about her one week visit (not what you would call a full apprenticeship, but still…) with Shigero Fukano at his nursery in Japan in February, 2009 . Michelle’s story is both personal and highly informative, but rather than bore you with my take on her take, I’ll … Continue reading A Very Short Apprenticeship with Mr Fukano

Million Dollar Bonsai

If you believe everything you read online, then the price tag on this tree is 1.2 million dollars. Of course that price doesn’t necessarily mean that much, anyone can ask anything for any item. The actual selling price would be more interesting; then we’d know that the tree was worth a certain price to at least one person. The photo is from Bonsai Madness on facebook. The copy says that the tree (I’m guessing it’s a ficus) is more than 200 years old and was cultivated during the Nguyen Dynasty rulers of Vietnam. Our million dollar contest Speaking of millions … Continue reading Million Dollar Bonsai

Another Trident: More Fall Color

This monster Trident maple has it all; massive trunk, fluid natural looking nebari (some maple nebari seem overdone), good lines, perfect pot, healthy green moss, everything (you might question the placement in the pot). The artist is German Gomez. They’re popping up everywhere A few days ago we featured a very impressive but unattributed tree that we found on facebook. Turns out that it belongs to German Gomez, of Medi Bonsai in Valencia, Spain (thanks to Pedro Paes), as does the tree featured here. When I first visited German’s website I was amazed that I hadn’t heard of him. But … Continue reading Another Trident: More Fall Color

Pots: A Flare for the Unusual

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a glaze quite like this one (or the one below for that matter). The potter is Michelle Dougherty. New pots I’ve been checking out Michelle’s posts at Bunjin Journal for quite a while now. Though she doesn’t post very often (lately she’s been on a bit of roll), when she does, she usually comes up with something a tad unusual. This time it’s some pots she just made. Not that all her pots are all that unusual, some are, some aren’t (I picked a couple here that I think are both distinctive and beautiful), … Continue reading Pots: A Flare for the Unusual

Daisaku Nomoto: Before & After

Sierra juniper after restyling by Daisaku Nomoto. From Bonsai Tonight. Photos by Jonas Dupuich. Mr Nomoto visits Bay Island Bonsai Jonas Dupuich is featuring a great series of photos on Daisaku Nomoto’s visit to Bay Island Bonsai. I’m on a short vacation, so this is an easy way to offer you something good with a minimum of effort. Enjoy! Before.

Coming Soon: North American Bonsai at the International Bonsai Symposium

This splendid Japanese maple by Bill Valavanis is from the cover of International Bonsai’s special Maple Issue. Do you like North American trees? Larch, cedar, bald cypress, buttonwood, Rocky mountain juniper will be all featured September 10-12 in Rochester NY. Meet some excellent bonsai artists and teachers, take a couple workshops and go home happy (visit International Bonsai for details). Speaking of North American Bonsai… …the gallery book North American Bonsai is now double discounted at Stone Lantern. So is The 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album.

Hamisu: Summer Misting

The following very useful piece of advice is by Michael Hagedorn from his website Crataegus Bonsai. Last summer I mentioned the practice of ‘hamisu’ which is the misting of bonsai during hot summer days. This light topical watering wets the foliage, trunk, pot and first half inch or inch of soil. It refreshes the tree. If you water the trees in the morning on hot days, they will often need this lighter watering once or twice following that. This is especially true when the temperatures rise above 90 degrees F. Hamisu is most effective when the sun is lowering in … Continue reading Hamisu: Summer Misting