Dramatic Multi-Trunk Bonsai – Koyo Japanese Tools

Three robust Shimpaku junipers on a stupendous rock. From the Omiya Bonsai Museum via Bonsai Empire. Continuing our Omiya Bonsai Art Museum theme (with the rock planting above; the rest of the photos are from various other places). I’m in the middle of a two week vacation, so it’s back to our archives. This post (with a few minor changes today) originally appeared here in August 2015. That’s Ryan Neil’s hand posing for a professional photo with a one of the largest single rock, root-on-rock plantings you’ll ever see. Here’s his caption: “In the studio today with @hornbecker shooting for the Artisans … Continue reading Dramatic Multi-Trunk Bonsai – Koyo Japanese Tools

Still Crazy and an American Bonsai Classic

Michael Levin’s ‘Hatanaka’ Prostrata juniper, June 2015. Even though the foliage hasn’t filled out yet, this shot clearly shows the bones of the tree and seems like a good place to start. Still Crazy. Yesterday we put together a Before and After post that featured three trees by Bonsai Crazy (aka Uchida Yusuki). This jogged my memory and led me back to a November 2015 post about this great old Hatanaka/Levin Prostrata juniper that Bonsai Crazy wired while he was in the States visiting Michael and some other American bonsai growers. Here’s what Michael Levin, owner of Bonsai West and … Continue reading Still Crazy and an American Bonsai Classic

The Tallest Trees in the World?

This Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii* subsp. glauca) is one of numerous extraordinary bonsai at Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai (near Portland, Oregon). It was originally collected in the Rocky mountains by Randy Knight. It’s age is given as 100-250 years. Height is 36″ (91cm), width 52″ (132cm). Yesterday’s post got me thinking about Firs and it wasn’t a long trip from firs (Abies varieties) to Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii). So even though Douglas firs are not true firs, still, these photo are just too good to pass up NEW Deeper Discount 1 Kilo (2.2 lb) Bonsai Wire now only 16.00 … Continue reading The Tallest Trees in the World?

Mirai Live Launch Party Tonight

What better way to start our Mirai Live post than by introducing you to one of our all-time favorite bonsai shots? It’s a Colorado spruce from Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai. You can see the whole tree below. Tonight is the big night for Ryan’s Neil’s Mirai Live… “a revolutionary online teaching platform where enthusiasts can access a lifetime’s worth of bonsai knowledge and engage in real time with bonsai professional Ryan Neil and artists from around the world.” If Ryan’s other ventures are any indication (The ground breaking Artisans Cup and his astounding bonsai nursery come to mind), then Mirai … Continue reading Mirai Live Launch Party Tonight

Bonsai Aficionados, Artists & Visionaries…

I love this powerful old mountain monarch with it’s massive swirling deadwood and undeniable sense of great age. It’s a Rocky mountain juniper that I lifted from Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai. One of dozens of equally impressive North American bonsai in Ryan’s collection. The title of this post, Bonsai Aficionados, Artists & Visionaries… is borrowed from Mirai Live, “a revolutionary online teaching platform where enthusiasts can access a lifetime’s worth of bonsai knowledge and engage in real time with bonsai professional Ryan Neil and artists from around the world.” I won’t say much more in this post about Mirai Live, … Continue reading Bonsai Aficionados, Artists & Visionaries…

Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Here’s David Knittle’s caption for this remarkable display: “Honduras rosewood table, 20″ x 8.5″ x 4″ high. It was built for this juniper rock planting displayed at the San Diego Bonsai Club’s Fall 2016 show.” It’s time to feature our fellow Vermonter, David Knittle and his exquisite bonsai stands. I’ve picked a few from David’s facebook photos. There’s a lot more where these came from. Continued below… NEW BONSAI TOOL SALE 25% to 30% off Roshi Tools Roshi Bonsai Tools are famous for precision cuts, durability, beauty & great prices 25% off 1-2 Roshi Tools 30% off 3 or more … Continue reading Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Three Robust Shimpaku on a Stupendous Rock

Three robust Shimpaku junipers on a stupendous rock. From the Omiya Bonsai Museum via Empire Bonsai. Yesterday we featured a type of bonsai forest, so let’s keep going with another type. Though some people might not call these rock plantings forests, they do share the multiple tree and the landscape features with more conventional bonsai forests. This post (with a few changes) first appeared August 2015. That’s Ryan Neil’s hand posing for a professional photo with a one of the largest root-on-rock plantings you’ll ever see. Here’s his caption: “In the studio today with @hornbecker shooting for the Artisans Cup … Continue reading Three Robust Shimpaku on a Stupendous Rock

You Cut That Off and You lose the Soul of the Tree

“In Japan, I’m sure they would say this is not bonsai and cut this very long branch off,” says (Ryan) Neil. “But when I purchased this piece of material (Ponderosa pine), the only thing I could think is: man, how could you take this wild, undulating branch that — although it may sit outside of the dimensions of what the Japanese model says makes a bonsai — you cut that off and you lose the soul of the tree. So I think what makes the American style special is preserving the wildness and resisting the temptation to domesticate it.” From … Continue reading You Cut That Off and You lose the Soul of the Tree

American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil at the Portland Japanese Garden

I’ve never seen a bonsai displayed like this. Not even in my imagination, and my guess is the same goes for you (unless you happen to be Ryan Neil). This photo is from a show at the Portland Japanese Garden titled American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil. We’ve featured the bonsai of Ryan Neil numerous times here on Bark. But never quite like this (though Ryan’s Artisans Cup does share some of the same revolutionary vision). I won’t say much more except to encourage you to visit the Portland Japanese Garden (if geography puts a crimp in that … Continue reading American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil at the Portland Japanese Garden

Dazzling Deadwood

Dazzling deadwood. I think I see a live vein on the left edge of the trunk. Otherwise, this spectacular old specimen is a study in deadwood (with a little rebar thrown into the mix). It’s a Rocky Mountain juniper. The artist and owner is Ryan Neil, Bonsai Mirai. The tree was originally collected by Andy Smith of Golden Arrow Bonsai (Stone Lantern offers Andy’s excellent DVD on collecting bonsai). Intenational Bonsai Mirai has a great little back story on this intriguing old tree. This post originally appeared here in January, 2012. A lot has changed and a lot remains more … Continue reading Dazzling Deadwood