Our Friends Still Need Help: NBF’s Tohoku Disaster Relief Fund

As news shifts away from Japan, it’s easy to forget how much suffering is still taking place. In our case, we remain concerned for all the Japanese people, and especially for our friends in the bonsai community. In this light we at Stone Lantern have pledged to send 10% of all sales of Japanese products (about a forth of what we sell comes from Japan) to the relief effort. If you are interested in joining us in helping, please take the time to read the following letter from Felix Laughlin of the National Bonsai Foundation about the Tohoku Disaster Relief … Continue reading Our Friends Still Need Help: NBF’s Tohoku Disaster Relief Fund

In Training Since 1795

Here it is. It’s a Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine) that was donated to the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by The Imperial Household of Japan. It has been in training since 1795. The Japanese Collection It’s right here in North America and it’s one of the best collections of bonsai anywhere. Here’s an excerpt from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s website: “The Japanese Collection began with the gift of 53 bonsai from Japan on the occasion of the American Bicentennial in 1976. The trees, which were from private collections, were selected by the Nippon Bonsai Association with financial … Continue reading In Training Since 1795

CBS Bonsai Segment: “If You Do It Right”

Last Sunday CBS ran a segment on bonsai. It was shot in two places: The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC and at Felix Laughlin’s farm in Virginia (three days ago we featured photos by Felix from his recent trip to Japan). “If you do it right… …it will always look better the next year.” This happy truth was uttered by Felix Laughlin (President of the National Bonsai Foundation). You can find this here and a range of other statements (most geared to beginners) and some excellent footage of some great trees (way beyond beginners) and more at … Continue reading CBS Bonsai Segment: “If You Do It Right”

Felix Laughlin’s Photos from Japan

Rarely so red. You don’t see too many Junipers in red pots. For that matter you don’t see that many bonsai in red pots. It’s a tough color to work with, especially when it’s this bright. And no, the juniper isn’t dead; it just has a strong case of winter color. It resides at Mr. Daizo Iwasaki’s Takasago-an. A few friends and a camera Not too long ago Felix Laughlin, President of our National Bonsai Foundation (and the second World Bonsai Friendship Federation chairman) packed up his camera and took a trip to Japan with some friends. The photos shown … Continue reading Felix Laughlin’s Photos from Japan

Bonsai Segment on CBS Sunday Morning

This Sunday, April 18th, 2010 We just received this email from Johann Klodzen, Executive Director, National Bonsai Foundation “As many of you know, Rita Braver, a correspondent for the CBS News Sunday Morning program, has been working on a segment for that show on bonsai and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the bonsai collection of Felix Laughlin, President of the National Bonsai Foundation. We have just learned from Rita that this piece is on the schedule for the upcoming broadcast of that program on Sunday – April 18. Please check your local television listing for the exact time … Continue reading Bonsai Segment on CBS Sunday Morning

National Bonsai Foundation 2010 Calendar

This massive white pine was donated to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum by Daizo Iwasaki. Though I’ve never met him, I have long admired Mr. Iwasaki’s dedication to promoting the art of bonsai. Few people in our world bonsai community rival Mr. Iwasaki’s tireless energy, boundless generosity and devotion when it comes to bonsai. This tree is just one of many world class bonsai that he has donated to our National Bonsai and Penjin Museum. BTW: did you notice how the enormous base of the trunk nearly fills the whole pot? 2010: A good year for bonsai and related … Continue reading National Bonsai Foundation 2010 Calendar

Support the National Bonsai Foundation!

Just got this postcard in the mail from my friends and compatriots at the NBF. The tree is a formal upright Japanese White pine. Decent formal uprights are rare and this splendid samurai is far beyond just decent. So far in fact, that it takes me back to the stunningly powerful and surprisingly elegant monster trees (giant sequoias) that I had the good fortune to be bowled over by last fall. If you ever get a chance, visit Sequoias National Forest and make it point to spend some time with General Sherman. Meanwhile, speaking of chances…. Your chance to do … Continue reading Support the National Bonsai Foundation!

Master’s Gallery: Melba Tucker’s Olive & Suiseki

This dramatic European olive forest on a rooted burl is by Melba Tucker. It’s borrowed from The National Bonsai Foundation‘s 2008 calendar. Though it goes without saying This old gem looks like a forest growing on a rocky ledge somewhere in Spain (or anywhere else olives grow) and, though it goes without saying, I’ll say it anyway: it’s one of the most wonderful, natural looking forest plantings anywhere. If you are ever anywhere near Washington DC, check it (and a whole bunch of other world class bonsai) out. It’s at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. Melba found this distinctive … Continue reading Master’s Gallery: Melba Tucker’s Olive & Suiseki

Vacation Gallery: Enjoy, I’ll Be Back July 2nd

This Trident maple penjing was designed by Quingquan Zhao in 2001 at the Mid Atlantic Bonsai show. It was purchased by Dr. McNear and given to National Bonsai Foundation in honor of his daughter Emily Jane McNear. It reside at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC.

Two Masterpieces by Saburo Kato

Ezo spruce (Picea glehnii) was Saburo Kato’s favorite tree. This one is from an untranslated Japanese book on Mr. Kato’s bonsai that his son Hatsuji sent us in appreciation for the gift we (Stone Lantern) sent Mr. Kato’s family when he passed away last year. I picked this one for a couple reasons. First, there’s the dead tree. You see dead trees in bonsai forests occasionally, but not that often. In nature however, dead trees abound, so why not put them in you bonsai plantings? The other feature that strikes me is the lush forest floor. I don’t know if … Continue reading Two Masterpieces by Saburo Kato