Remarkable Even Without the Flowers

This would be a remarkable bonsai even without the flowers. This photo and the others in this post were taken by Bill Valavanis during his visit to the Shunka-En Bonsai Museum of Kunio Kobayashi. Mr. Kobayashi is known for his Satsuki azaleas and Japanese black pines too. Renowned American bonsai artist, author, teacher, nurseryman, publisher, impresario, blogger and tireless traveler Bill Valavais is in the midst of a Satsuki azalea tour of Japan. Rather than trying to steal Bill’s thunder, we’ll just whet your appetite with a few photos from Kunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-En Bonsai Museum and encourage you to visit … Continue reading Remarkable Even Without the Flowers

Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

The first thing that caught my eye in this photo is the tree’s overall graceful fluid movement. Next is the swirling gnarl that, for lack of a better word, we’ll call the trunk (see below). This photo and the others shown here are from a recent facebook post by Robert Steven. Robert Steven is, without a doubt, the artist most featured here on Bonsai Bark. You can chalk that up to him being one of the most accomplished and innovative bonsai artists in the world. Prolific too. But there’s more. We don’t usually do lists here nor do we usually … Continue reading Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Don’t let yourself run out of Bonsai Wire. It’s a great feeling to have exactly the right wire at hand when you need it. 20% off all Bonsai Wire plus any order of 100.00 or more receives an added 10% off All of our Bonsai Wire is now 20% off of our already low prices. But don’t wait. The sale ends tonight (Friday, May 23rd) at 11:59pm (U.S. EDT). Chose from a whole range of roll sizes, diameters and types of Bonsai Wire. All now 20% plus any order of 100.00 or more recieves another 10% off. Meanwhile, our … Continue reading Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Very Red and Very Rare

You don’t see very many bright red bonsai pots. Red glazes are expensive and I suspect that they are not that easy to do. Then there’s the conundrum they present; what do put in a bright red pot? Not always so easy, but in this case, problem solved (or is it?). The tree is a Elaeagnus pungens (Siverthorn in English, Kangumi in Japanese). Both the tree and pot are by Haruyosi as are all the trees and pots in this post. Red glazes are not that common. Bright red glazes are even less common. Yellow glazes are not all that … Continue reading Very Red and Very Rare

Bonsai Wire, Your Choice: Copper or Aluminum? Japanese or Chinese?

Like most bonsai, this one has been wired. In fact, there’s visible wire on it right now. It’s a Shimpaku that’s from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Juniper book, titled Keiko Tamaki’s Deft Touch. It’s time to reach back into our archives once again (from May, 2013). This time our motives are almost purely commercial. We’ve just put up a big Bonsai Wire Sale (20% to 30% off all wire) and that’s something you should know about. BTW: I think this post is worth re-posting even without our commercial motives; you might find the information useful, and I’m sure … Continue reading Bonsai Wire, Your Choice: Copper or Aluminum? Japanese or Chinese?

10% to 20% off Our Already Discounted Prices

Our Roshi Stainless and High Carbon Steel Bonsai Tools are already the most reasonably price tools you’ll find. Now they just got even more reasonable. 10% to 20% off everything at Stone Lantern Here how it works: 10% off all orders up to 49.99 15% off all orders from 50.00 to 199.99 20% off all orders of 200.00 or more This includes a whole range of items that are already deeply discounted. You may already know about our great wire prices. Now they are even greater. Ditto our large selection of Bonsai and related books. And … Continue reading 10% to 20% off Our Already Discounted Prices

That Natural Look

This popped up on Bonsai Mania from a photo of Roelof Jansen van Vuuren’s. It caught me because of its light airy feel and natural look. A small cut or two? This sweet Japanese maple (var?) planting reminds me a bit of the Sugar maples on the edge of my property. Sometimes I imagine them small and then start making mental cuts. These trees have the same effect on me; I wouldn’t mind grabbing my scissors and making a small cut or two. Especially on that long left branch on the tree on the right (I think I just disturbed … Continue reading That Natural Look

NEW BOOK! Gnarly Branches Arriving Any Day!

It’s somewhere in the northeast and getting closer by the minute. Any day now, any minute now, Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees will come rolling in. I’ll stake my reputation I’ve seen most of the photos and much of the text, and I will stake my reputation (whatever it is) on this being one of the most inspirational and exciting bonsai books ever published. 30% – 40% off Book Sale It’s a good time to order. Books, tools, bonsai wire, turntables and more on sale now.

Necessary and Good

Not too many I try not to clutter Bonsai Bark with too many Stone Lantern promos, still, selling books, tools and the other stuff is how we make our living, and that’s necessary and good. For us, and for you (check out the discounts). Three more rare out-of-print old issues of Bonsai Today just went up on Stone Lantern. Including 17, the famous transplanting issue (we only have 3, so don’t wait).

Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring

A close up of wired branches on a Japanese black pine. From Bonsai Today magazine (I don’t remember which issue). Time to Wire? Not all types of trees are typically wired at the same time of year. And all climates aren’t the same anyway; spring in San Diego comes at least three months before spring here in Vermont (not to mention the bottom half of the planet where everything is backwards) and so forth. It probably goes without saying that all people aren’t the same either. Some ignore the advice of others and just wire when they want. Others strictly … Continue reading Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring