More Stunning Bonsai Brilliance

In addition to its stunning (some might say gaudy) floral display, this Satsuki azalea possesses some other powerful features. Though when it’s in full bloom like this, they might be easy to overlook. A couple posts ago we featured some flowering bonsai brilliance from the 2016 Satsuki azalea Bonsai festival at Ueno Park in Tokyo. To continue in the same vein, I thought we would dig up last year’s post on the 2015 Ueno festival. Not only does it have information you might find interesting, but most of you probably haven’t seen it anyway. And if you’re anything like me, even … Continue reading More Stunning Bonsai Brilliance

Before & After Japanese Red Pine Bonsai

Here’s a before and after of a beautiful Bunjin Japanese red pine by Marco Invernizzi. From Marco’s website. Got a couple Japanese pines for you, including the before and after above by our friend Marco Invernizzi. We’ve featured Marco’s bonsai here on Bark going way back to early days and before that in several issues of Bonsai Today. Want to improve the quality of your bonsai? Try wiring all the way out to the tips of the smallest branches. You’ll be astounded by the results. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 1. Back issues of Bonsai Today are now … Continue reading Before & After Japanese Red Pine Bonsai

Elegant Bonsai Beauty but Not Really Bonsai

Mixed media wire sculpture by Ken To. Though it might lack the simple elegance of some of Ken’s best, still, so much artistry and fine-tuned craftsmanship in such a small space is quite impressive. When we venture from bonsai into related arts, we sometimes receive a little ‘this is not bonsai‘ flak, but mostly the response is positive. This is the case with Ken To’s delightful little wire sculptures. Perhaps a little flak, but mostly appreciation. This must be about the sixth times we’ve featured Ken’s bonsai sculptures (the first time was back in 2010 when he entered one in … Continue reading Elegant Bonsai Beauty but Not Really Bonsai

Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From the first volume of Bonsai Aesthetics. Now 25% off at Stone Lantern. Three great sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT 25% Bonsai books and other books 25% off 500 gram Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off annealed Copper Bonsai Wire plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more 25% off 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off U.S. manufactured Copper Bonsai Wire these sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT And just in case you are wondering; yes, we do offer a whole range of Japanese garden books and some … Continue reading Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

This massive Trident maple is one of approximately 200 bonsai offered at Suthin Sukosolivisit’s upcoming Private Collection Sales Event. First a disclaimer. We get nothing for promoting Suthin’s ( or anyone’s) bonsai sales or other events. Just an occasional thank you. But that’s enough. We’re happy to do it and we’re promoting our own business at the same time (Bonsai Book Sale and Wire Sales end tonight), so we’re okay with the arrangement. We’ll just show you a handful of photos of bonsai for sale at Suthin’s upcoming event (June 25 & 26) and encourage you to take a look … Continue reading Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

This Cryptomeria japonica is reminiscent of the unimaginably vast and towering Giant sequoias in California’s Sierra Nevada. This effect could be enhanced by photographing it from a little lower (see the photo below), but you still get the drift. Back very late last night from vacation, so we’ll revisit our archives one more time. This one was originally titled Quiet Dignity (July, 2011). What great trees. The one above is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. You seldom see a real good formal upright bonsai and you don’t see many good Cryptomeria bonsai either. Especially in the West (as you might … Continue reading Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

Pine Boom again

This gnarly old Mugo pine belongs to Walter Pall. It’s no doubt a yamadori (bonsai collected from the wild). Perhaps from the Alps? Yesterday was Walter Pall. Today it’s pines, two of which belong to Walter. This post originally appeared here on Bark in September, 2012. As far as I know, there is no Pine Boom. I was trying to type Pine Book as a filler until a more suitable name for this post came to me. Then, a simple typo, and now it’s Pine Boom. Anyway, I’m trying to pull myself to together to catch a plane, so, quickly, … Continue reading Pine Boom again

Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale

This Ponderosa pine was no doubt collected somewhere in western North America and exported to Europe. Europeans are lucky in that regard; it’s relatively easy for them to import plants from around the world. Here in the U.S. restrictions are much more onerous. The tree belongs to (or belonged to?) Walter Pall. The photo is from The Art of Bonsai Project, as are all the photos in this post. We’ve decided to extend our Bonsai Book Sale until Sunday (see below). This is because I’m traveling and can’t find the time (don’t want to be bothered) to make the decisions … Continue reading Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale

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