Bonsai Impressions – Texture, Movement & Color

It’s hard not to notice what just how powerful this tree is. Even with the apex slightly nipped and most of the pot missing. It’s a Japanese white pine from the 34th Taikan-ten Bonsai Exhibition. Our last few posts have featured bonsai from Kokufu-ten. Today it’s photos from Taikan-ten via Michael Bonsai on facebook. Taikan-ten takes place once a year in Kyoto and is considered by most people to be the second most important bonsai exhibition in Japan if not in the world (Kokufu is the king of bonsai exhibitions). You might notice that none of the photos shown here are conventional front shots that simply show the … Continue reading Bonsai Impressions – Texture, Movement & Color

American Bonsai at Kokufu?

NOTE: I DON’T KNOW WHY THE TOP HALF OF THIS POST APPEARS IN THESE IRRITATING CAPS. IT DOESN’T SHOW THAT WAY ON MY ORIGINAL… This Japanese hemlock belongs to Doug Paul, an American who lives in Pennsylvania and who happens to be the owner of the famous Kennett Collection. The following is quoted from a post by Bill Valavanis… this “Japanese hemlock, Tsuga diversifolia, bonsai was recently accepted to display in this year’s Kokufu Bonsai ten Exhibition. The attached photo shows how it is displayed at Kokufu Bonsai Exhibiton in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park.” I found Bill’s quote … Continue reading American Bonsai at Kokufu?

Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Though any Kokufu bonsai might work to lead with, there’s something about Quince flowers… Here’s Bill Valavanis’ caption: A small size Toyo Nishiki Japanese flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Toyo Nishiki’ with multiple colored flowers. Although red, pink and white blossoms are common for this great cultivar, I’ve often seen red branches grafted onto specimens to improve color distribution. Getting a late start today, so I’ve decided to take the easy way out and show you some photos that we originally featured in February 2015. They are all from the 2015 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibiton and were lifted directly from Bill Valanis’ … Continue reading Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Deadwood Wars

Deadwood anyone? No matter your opinion about excessive deadwood, you must admit this is a very powerful bonsai. Beyond sheer power and no matter your opinion, it’s hard to deny that the artist posses first rate skill when it comes to carving and styling bonsai. This and the other photos shown here were posted by Naldo Nolder (another Brazilian – see our 9/22 and 9/23 posts). He doesn’t say who the artists are. You’ll have to excuse me for the title; Deadwood Wars is little extreme. It’s just I’ve heard so many complaints over the last few years about excessive deadwood. I’m inclined to … Continue reading Deadwood Wars

Brilliant Bonsai Berries and Something for Cat Lovers

Two bunches of brilliant berries on either side of central gap… In this shot, almost all the berries and foliage are parted down the middle, which provides a clear view of the trunk all the way from the base to the apex. This is quite unusual. Most bonsai will show the lower third or half of the trunk while most of the upper regions are hidden, or at least partially hidden. The tree is a Pyracantha. The pot is Japanese and the artist is Christian De Ross Today we’re picking up where we left off yesterday, with the bonsai of Christian De … Continue reading Brilliant Bonsai Berries and Something for Cat Lovers

A Bonsai in Hand…

When it comes to fall color, this little Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) puts on a pretty good show, with the contrasting brilliance of the pot and leaves being nothing short of spectacular. All the trees shown in this post are by Cristian De Ross, a first timer here on Bark. I always feel a little lucky when I stumble upon superior Shohin bonsai. Especially when they’re hand held. The hand gives perspective on size without the distraction of the awkward drink cans you sometimes see. In this case the superior Shohin belong to Christian De Ross. Christian lives in Caxias do Sul, Brasil. You can see more of his remarkable shohin and … Continue reading A Bonsai in Hand…

Tall Cliffs & a Rickety Little Bridge

Partial shot of a large penjing style planting that features water, tall cliffs and a rickety little bridge. The artist is Bjorn Bjorholm with some friends as able assistants Yesterday we featured a planting and a few other bonsai by Bjorn Bjorholm and friends. Today we’ve got another one from the same event (you can visit Bjorn on facebook for more) KILO BONSAI WIRE ONLY 14.95 PER ROLL this special ends this Thursday additional 5% off orders 150.00 or more Bjorn and friends posing with their masterpiece. Bjorn is the one with the blue T-shirt A piece of the action… THE Book for Penjing … Continue reading Tall Cliffs & a Rickety Little Bridge

Two Splendid Cedar Bonsai

This has to be one of the very best Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) bonsai we’ve seen yet. We’ve seen thousands of magnificent Cedars growing in the wild here in Northern Vermont and surrounding states and provinces, but very few top quality bonsai. BTW: this one belongs to Brian Donnely of Quebec City. The photo is from one of the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition albums (I don’t remember which). The rest of the photos in this post are of another brilliant Cedar that belongs to Michael Pollock This post was inspired by a Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) that we’ve featured here … Continue reading Two Splendid Cedar Bonsai

Juniper Bonsai – Before, During & After

This Itoigawa juniper (Juniperus sargentii Itoigawa) belongs to Yannick Kiggen of Yama Bonsai Studio. The shot is from Noelanders Trophy 2017. The 200 year old pot is by Nakawatari. The stand was built by Pascal Houdusse This before, during and after sequence, covers four years in the life of Yannick Kiggen’s massive old yamadori juniper (yamadori is bonsai collected from the wild). Yannick bought it in 2014 from Maarten van der Hoeven of Bonsaiplaza, who imported it from Taisho-en in Japan. Continued below… BONSAI BOOK SPECIAL ENDS SOON All of Our Vast Selection of Bonsai Books 20% to 75% off List Prices But only for 2 more days This special … Continue reading Juniper Bonsai – Before, During & After

No Bonsai Are Too Big for Green T – FREE $50 Coupon with Basic Model

No bonsai is too big for Green T. Speaking of too big, it’s not everyday you see a Japanese maple with trunk this massive. It belongs to Jean Paul Polmans and a Basic Green T Turntable exactly like this one can can belong to you along with a FREE 50.00 coupon that’s good for any future Stone Lantern purchase Order your Green T Basic Model Hydraulic Lift Turntable and receive a FREE 50.00 Stone Lantern Coupon see below for more reason to enjoy your own Green T… Four Good Reasons to Order Your Green T Basic Model Now FREE 50.00 Coupon good for any … Continue reading No Bonsai Are Too Big for Green T – FREE $50 Coupon with Basic Model