Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk.

Michael’s Miraculous Escape

A famous Foemina juniper after Michael Hagedorn ruined it (just kidding…). Photos are from Michael’s Crataegus Bonsai. Tar and feathers If I was inclined to envy, I think I’d chose Michael Hagedorn’s writing skills to be envious of (taking nothing away from his considerable bonsai skills). Fortunately, my experience is more one of appreciation than envy (still, if I could only….). Anyway, I’ll let Michael speak for himself: “No matter how assured you are, changing the design of a famous tree is done with a deep intake of breath. One takes precautions. Like boarding up windows and doors, in premonition … Continue reading Michael’s Miraculous Escape

A Bunjin Story

I borrowed this unusual Bunjin style Sierra juniper from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. The article is titled Developing an Unpromising Sierra Juniper Bunjin – student work from Seasonal. There’s something about threes It often works to divide things into thirds to better understand them and for discussion sake. In this tree’s case, you might be struck by the fact that it has three distinct sections: 1. The base. The lowest part starts with a radical slant then takes an abrupt twist. This sudden change of direction is both fluid and abrupt and tells much of the tree’s story. It’s a … Continue reading A Bunjin Story

Tea Time in Japan

An old Black pine at Aichi-en bonsai nursery, after Peter Tea worked on it for three days. Bonsai apprentice Peter Tea is an American bonsai artist who recently became an apprentice at Aichi-en in Japan. Aichi-en, which is known for primarily for Black pine bonsai, is owned and operated by Mr. Junichiro Tanaka. One thing that makes Peter’s apprenticeship particularly interesting, is his on-going chronicle (blog) of his experience at Aichi-en. Peter is not the first to write about his apprenticeship (see Michael Hagedorn’s excellent book: Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk), but so far, what he … Continue reading Tea Time in Japan

Slow Down & Stop Thinking So Much

Michael Hagedorn reworked this collected Sierra juniper (grafted with shimpaku) in a half-day refinement session at the Weyerhaeuser collection in Federal Way, Washington, way back in 2009. The before photo is below. Sight of the Blind Man It’s very rare to find writing that explores what goes on with our thoughts and feelings when we work on our bonsai. Mostly we just talk about our trees and what we want to do to them or what we already did to them. That’s why I was surprised and delighted when I read Michael Hagedorn’s latest post on Crataegus Bonsai, Sight of … Continue reading Slow Down & Stop Thinking So Much

Bonsai Wisdom

This magnificent juniper appears on Bonsai Boon in a section on Bay Island Bonsai’s 2011 Exhibit. I’ll assume it belongs to Boon (his name accompanies the photo, though it doesn’t state unequivocally that it’s his tree and I’ve been fooled before). I dug around for a little while but couldn’t find the species or anything else on this tree. No doubt the info is out there somewhere. Bonsai is primarily a technical endeavor The following quote is by Michael Hagedorn. It’s from an article titled ‘A Student’s Report’ that appears in the Bonsai Intensive section of Boon Manakitivipart’s (Bonsai Boon) … Continue reading Bonsai Wisdom

Rilke & Bunjin, A Literati’s Literati

Deeper in debt. I’ve been borrowing from Michael Hagedorn (Crataegus Bonsai) for years. It’s a debt that can only be repaid by appreciation. This strange and wonderful bunjin Sierra juniper was restyled by Michael’s students at one of his Seasonals. Rainer Maria Rilke I know that Rilke departed this earth long ago, and that he most likely never heard of bonsai, still, this quote (also borrowed from Michael) captures something sweet and true that might apply to how we approach our bonsai: “If you will love what seems to be insignificant and will in an unassuming manner, as a servant, … Continue reading Rilke & Bunjin, A Literati’s Literati

There’s Something About Shohin

Itoigawa juniper by Michael Hagedorn. Michael is one of our favorite American bonsai artists. If you haven’t visited his site (Crataegus Bonsai) this is as good a time as any. BTW: Michael is the author of  Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk a fascinating read, bonsai or otherwise. The advantages of Shohin (small) Bonsai On the back of our Stone Lantern book Majesty in Miniature; Shohin Bonsai (by Morten Albek) it says “When compared to large bonsai, Shohin cost less, take less time to develop, take less space, are easier to move, and are less apt to … Continue reading There’s Something About Shohin

The Prime Minister’s Award

Shinji Suzuki’s 2010 Prime Minister Award Juniper. Borrowed from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai (the original photo includes the stand – it’s a long story). Michael is an accomplished American bonsai artist and teacher, and the author of Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk. In Michael’s own words The following was lifted from Crataegus Bonsai: “My teacher’s juniper from the 2010 Sakafu show has been my favorite since it first came into his studio in 2006, and I was in my last year apprenticing there. The delicacy and naturalness of this meter-high tree has always left me spellbound. He … Continue reading The Prime Minister’s Award

Stealing from Michael Once Again: Matt Reel & Other Bonsai News

Matt Reel. Another American apprentice in Japan. From Kinbon magazine via Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. Japan’s most prestigious I don’t think it’s very often that a young American bonsai apprentice shows up in Kinbon, Japan’s most prestigious bonsai magazine. The artist is Matt Reel, who has been apprenticing in Japan under Shinji Suzuki since 2006. Matt is from Portland, Oregon (that’s where Michael Hagedorn and Crataegus reside). If you’d like see more photos and read what Michael has to say about Matt, you can visit Crataegus (one of my favorite bonsai sites). Michael’s excellent book Michael Hagedorn also apprenticed in … Continue reading Stealing from Michael Once Again: Matt Reel & Other Bonsai News

Michael’s Return (x 2 + Kokufu)

A luscious white pine that Michael Hagedorn wired in hopes that it will be accepted into the famous Kokufu Exhibition. Michael Hagedorn is back After a two plus month hiatus, Michael Hagedorn has suddenly resurfaced on Crataegus Bonsai, and in Japan no less. This is good news. Not only does it solve my problem (another day, another post; how can I keep this interesting?), but it also gives us a further glimpse into the life and times of our favorite American apprentice in Japan (Michael has a delightful book on the subject). We won’t spill all the beans Rather than … Continue reading Michael’s Return (x 2 + Kokufu)