Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

bt3p19defol

This Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) has been partially defoliated. The first branch is too small relative to the rest of the tree, so the purpose of the defoliation is to speed up the development of the first branch while slowing down the development of the rest of the tree. This works because energy flow decreases in areas that have been defoliated. Conversely, because the energy from the roots has to go somewhere, energy flow increases where leaves are left on. The photos in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 103 (out of print). The article that the photos are taken from is by Hiroshi Takeyama.

Continue reading Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?

bt108p6

This Rough bark shore juniper is by Boon Manakitipivart. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108. Though it certainly has a rugged, natural feel, does it also have some features (aside from the pot) that are more characteristic of bonsai than of trees growing in the wild?

Is there a clear distinction?
Back two or three years ago, I was hearing and reading a lot about naturalistic bonsai versus more abstract bonsai. Though I’m not sure that the difference is always that obvious, or that there are only two categories when it come to this discussion, I do get the general idea: some bonsai look a lot like trees in nature and some look less like trees in nature. Perhaps most are somewhere in between.

Continue reading The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern
Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

bt104p8cropped

A power rotary tool (Dremel brand) with a steel wire brush attachment in the skilled hands of François Jeker. From Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print).

The use of carving tools in bonsai
In bonsai carving tools are used to create new deadwoood and enhance existing deadwood. There was a day not too long ago when all carving was done by hand. Recently, all that has changed and more and more bonsai artists are using power tools. And not just small rotary tools, but even things like chainsaws and specially designed grinders.

Just scratching the surface (so to speak)
In this post we’ll show a few power tools being used on bonsai, without going into too much detail. Just to give you an idea of what’s out there. Later, we’ll explore some of the tools and their uses in more detail.

Continue reading Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch

jeker-31

This shot doesn’t exactly show off François Jeker’s bonsai (if you squint you can see them way in the back), but it does give you a pretty good idea of his artistry when it comes to building and maintaining a Japanese garden.

Speaking of François Jeker
Though François Jeker is well known for his masterful work with deadwood (see previous and future posts), his interest and skills stretch far beyond. The gardens and bonsai displays featured here attest to his sensibilities and deft touch, as does his benchmark book, Bonsai Aesthetics.

Continue reading Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Jin & Shari #3: The Three Types of Deadwood

b1galp43

This classic Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) shows all three types of deadwood: sabamiki (hollow trunk), shari (deadwood on the trunk) and jin (dead branches or dead treetop; if you look closely you’ll see a few little dead branches sticking out). The tree is from our Pocket Bonsai Gallery (it originally appeared on the cover on Bonsai Today issue 43).

Backing up and starting over
Even though we’ve already posted a couple times on the topic, I’ve decided to go back to the beginning for those of you who don’t know much about deadwood on bonsai. If you’ve been around the deadwood block, then stay posted for some meatier stuff soon.

It started with Mother Nature
The idea for using deadwood in bonsai comes from nature. In fact, if you look around, it’s everywhere. Especially on conifers, where deadwood tends to last longer.

Continue reading Jin & Shari #3: The Three Types of Deadwood

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

bt104p17

A detail of a Mugo pine (Pinus mugo, also called Swiss mountain pine) that was carved by François Jeker eight years before the photo was taken. François’ expert carving, and the sun, rain, wind and frost have combined to create a natural look and feel. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print).

François Jeker
Though I’ve never met him and have only seen photos of him working and the results (like the one above), I suspect that François Jeker is one of the foremost experts, if not THE foremost expert, on deadwood in the West. If you’d like some evidence, check out Bonsai Today issues 103, 104 & 105 (103 & 104 are out of print, but don’t despair, we’ll run François’ articles right here as part of our deadwood series).

Continue reading Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium

koto-hime-maple1

Koto Hime Dwarf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Koto Hime’). Bill Valavanis started this sturdy shohin maple from an airlayer taken in June 1986. Height 11 inches, Tokonome pot.

2009 Shohin Bonsai Symposium, Rochester NY.
Bill Valavanis’ Shohin Symposium is coming up soon (September). Shohin artists from around the world will be teaching and displaying their talents and enthusiasm for your enjoyment and benefit.

Nobuichi Urushibata, Peter Warren, Julian Adams…
Harvey Carapella, Sean Smith, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Erik Wigert, Jack Wikle, Bill Valavanis (and you?) will be on hand. And, of course. a host of bonsai friends to hang and play with with. Bill puts a tremendous amount of talent, passion and energy into whatever he does and this event will be no exception.

Continue reading Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Energy Balancing #4: Kimura’s Sacrifice Branches

b1kim2p36

The huge girth and dramatic taper on this powerful Satsuki azalea, were achieved primarily through the use of sacrifice branches. In fact, you’ll notice that some are still being employed to help thicken the primary branches. This photo is from The Magician: The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2, by Stone Lantern Publishing.

Single sacrifice branches and unsightly scarring
In energy balancing #3 we showed a juniper with a single sacrifice branch at the top. Single sacrifice branches are often used, especially to thicken trunks, and they can work quite well. However, one problem with using single branches is that, in order to be effective, they can get quite thick and can leave an unsightly scar when removed.

Continue reading Energy Balancing #4: Kimura’s Sacrifice Branches

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Back Savers #2: Shohin & Mame Bonsai Video

mame-quince

This powerful little quince in one of many exceptional small bonsai on a great video (below) I found while wading my way through numerable numerous bad to mediocre bonsai videos on youtube. I’m not complaining though, this gem made the whole journey worth while. Disclaimer: the music may, or may not, be to your taste, but the bonsai and the high quality production certainly will.

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern