Bonsai Redux: A Penjing Symphony in Three Movements

This super-sized three part penjing is by Robert Steven; renowned bonsai artist, teacher and author, and frequent contributor to this blog. It’s the 4th of July holiday weekend. Time relax a bit. Maybe do some digging in the garden or play in the water. Maybe both. To help make this happen, here’s something we’ve almost never done before; a rerun of a previous post (with a few small changes). This one is from December 2011. In Robert Steven’s own words “This is a super large penjing I did two weeks ago. The total length is three meters (about 10 feet). … Continue reading Bonsai Redux: A Penjing Symphony in Three Movements

Book Review for a Unique & Exceptional New Bonsai Book

The following review of Bill Valavanis’ new Classical Bonsai Art is borrowed from Andy Rutledge’s Bonsai Journal. Andy has a knack for digging into books and bringing out nuggets of gold. In this vein (sorry bout that) Andy’s reviews include good and bad (his own words) sections, though the latter doesn’t really apply in this case. If you get a chance, I recommend that you pay Bonsai Journal a visit. You won’t be disappointed. Classical Bonsai Art, A Half Century of Bonsai Study – The Creations & Passions of William N. Valavanis Review by Andy Rutledge “Immersing oneself in … Continue reading Book Review for a Unique & Exceptional New Bonsai Book

Gifts for Bonsai Lovers

Fine Bonsai. The vividly photographed Japanese maple with its outrageous nebari, luminous leaves and tunnel that allows you to see into its midsection, is from the uniquely powerful and soulful new gallery book, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature (cover photo below). This tree resides at the Shunka-en Bonsai Museum in Tokyo. No artist’s name is mentioned. Commercialism? No! (well maybe just a little) I hope that you’ve noticed that we keep a safe distance from too much shameless commercialism here on Bonsai Bark (our newsletter is another story). However, it’s that time of year, when lots of goods and money … Continue reading Gifts for Bonsai Lovers

NEW Book: Keshiki Bonsai – Or Is It?

Not all Keshiki look so much like what we call bonsai. Photo from Keshiki Bonsai. Keshiki Bonsai, The Easy, Modern Way to Create Miniature Landscapes by Kenji Kobayashi Here’s some of what whoever wrote the copy on the inside cover has to say about Keshiki Bonsai: In this dazzling book, Kenji Kobayashi – the modern master who invented keshiki bonsai – presents projects that range from utterly simple domes of emerald – green moss to subtle combinations of small trees, perennials, and stones. The materials are basic and easy to find, and each project can be interpreted to suit your … Continue reading NEW Book: Keshiki Bonsai – Or Is It?

Bunjin Lives (Lungo vive il bunjin!)

I like the movement on this tree, with its sudden changes of direction. I also like the way the moss and lichen are growing up the base of the trunk. I wonder if it’s a Scot’s pine. Robert at the Crespi Cup The photos here were culled out from a large selection that was taken by our old friend Robert Steven at the 2012 Crespi Cup in Italy. I’ve cropped and otherwise fiddled a bit, but mostly they are pretty close to how I found them. Some don’t have any identification and some do. Speaking of Robert, it has been … Continue reading Bunjin Lives (Lungo vive il bunjin!)

A Fine (and Great) New Book

Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature is now available at Stone Lantern. One of the most astounding books… This morning Andy Rutledge sent me his well considered and well written review of one of the most astounding books I’ve ever seen. So rather than subjecting you to my same old prose once again, let’s try a fresh voice for a change (note, you can see Andy’s entire review on his Bonsai Journal … you might also enjoy visiting a more multifaceted Andy here). Andy Rutledge’s review When my copy of Fine Bonsai arrived I almost dropped it as the delivery man … Continue reading A Fine (and Great) New Book

Out Stealing Bonsai Ideas

Major surgery. From a Bonsai Tonight post entitled ‘Best repotting of the year.’ Rapid evolution There’s a lot going on with bonsai these days, and it’s happening fast and right before our eyes. If you look at the evolution of bonsai, you’ll find slow but steady development up until sometime in the 1980s when the explosion began. Kimura was introducing power tools and Bonsai was becoming international. Suddenly bonsai books and magazines were springing up everywhere, and, at the same time, along comes the internet. Now, new (and old) ideas abound everywhere. Black ponderosa pine? Japanese black pine grafted onto … Continue reading Out Stealing Bonsai Ideas

Dragon Tail & Other Random Shots

Dragon Tail. Wood sculpting by Mother Nature and Father Time. Photo by John Palmer. John is the blissfully retired founder of Stone Lantern and Bonsai Today. Have you visited Stone Lantern lately? On March 13th of this year, we started seriously lowering prices on our website. We’ve pretty much lowered everything at this point: bonsai books (other books too), bonsai tools and other tools, fertilizers, bonsai soils, the works. So, if you haven’t visited for a while, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. A great shot of a convoluted old pine trunk. My apologies to the owner, but I’ve lost … Continue reading Dragon Tail & Other Random Shots

Robert Critiques a Unique Trunk Line

Simulation by Robert Steven. The original, which was submitted by Ihwanuddin Lutfi is below. Send us yours for a free critique For a while we were getting regular submission, but now, the well seems to be a little drier. Don’t be shy. Robert can be very direct, but then, how many people have the expertise and confidence to be so direct? And so helpful in viewing your bonsai in a new light? You can send your photos to me, or directly to Robert. Ihwanuddin Lutfi’s original. Notice how Robert softened the background color in his simulation (above). Robert’s critique Pemphis … Continue reading Robert Critiques a Unique Trunk Line

Bonsai Pots at Stone Lantern

A small sampling of what we have and what’s to come. Finally We’ve been talking about offering bonsai pots for a while and now, finally, we’ve got them. So far we’ve put up thirty-some, with many more to come. Stay posted. A ways to go Organization-wise, we still have a ways to go. Once we get enough up, we’ll organize them into sub-groups for your convenience. Meanwhile, it’s pretty easy to go through what’s already up. Competitive prices too We are being very careful to keep our pot prices competitive. Feel free to compare. In this vein, we have also … Continue reading Bonsai Pots at Stone Lantern