One Bonsai, Four Shots

This artfully swirling Itoigawa Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis Itoigawa) belongs to Fabio Mantovani. The photo was taken at the recent European Bonsai San Show by Harry Harrington (I cropped it to get a closer look, the original is below). Last week we featured some of Harry Harrington’s photos from last month’s European Bonsai San Show. Because the tree’s are so spectacular and Harry’s photos are equally spectacular, there’s no good reason not keep going. This time we’re focusing on four shots (plus one cropped) of a Itoigawa Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis Itoigawa) that belongs to Fabio Mantovani. For more of Harry’s … Continue reading One Bonsai, Four Shots

Freshly Trimmed Tiny Trees

At a glance, this is a sweet little freshly trimmed Shimpaku bonsai. But if you let your glance linger, you might see just how much age and character this tiny tree expresses. There’s that relatively massive little trunk and its rugged twists and scars. There’s also the impressive branch development for such a small tree. Altogether a masterful little bonsai. The photo and tree belong to Haruyosi, as do the other photos shown here. We’ve been featuring small bonsai lately and yesterday it was a few of Haruyosi’s particularly charming small bonsai. So, for the sake of continuity we’ll just … Continue reading Freshly Trimmed Tiny Trees

Which Pot Again – Another Tree, More Choices

These four images were borrowed from Juraj Szabó. Juraj lives, works and plays in Slovakia. The tree is a Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis sargentii). Juraj doesn’t say where the pots came from, though a couple look like they might be either Tokoname or Yixing pots. Most of our previous Which Pot? posts have been lifted from Boon Manakitivipart (including yesterday’s), so it was nice to discover one from someone (and somewhere) else. Nothing against Boon’s offerings, he puts on a world class bonsai show. It’s just a nice change of pace. Some details: First, it’s best if you put your … Continue reading Which Pot Again – Another Tree, More Choices

Power, Elegance & a Bonsai Youth Movement

Sheer power. This impressive Japanese white pine was styled by Naoki Maeoka. In his own words: Every single branch of each tree was looked at carefully, and strong branches were cut, while leaving the soft ones to balance the foliage. Then I detail wired the entire tree to put the remaining branches in an ideal position. Trees were simply wired in these positions for the time being. It’s not the final goal of styling. It’s a new beginning towards achieving that eventual goal. The two trees shown here couldn’t be that different in terms of styles and effects. The Japanese … Continue reading Power, Elegance & a Bonsai Youth Movement

Let’s Twist

This little Shimpaku juniper was grown in Japan and shaped by human hands. Though it’s almost impossible to mimic the raw and rugged look that nature sometimes comes up with, this one isn’t half bad. The final styling was done by Masahiko Kimura. You can find this photo in The Magician, the Bonsai Art of Kimura 2. Is it possible to grow bonsai that have the coveted natural look you find with collected (yamadori) trees? Judging from the photo above, you can at least come close. We don’t do a lot of how-to articles, but now and then we find … Continue reading Let’s Twist

Just for Fun

This Shimpaku juniper with its host of other plants (on an almost completely covered rock) is by Suthin. As are the other two Shimpaku shown here (as well as dozens of other brilliant bonsai by Suthin that we’ve featured here on Bark over the last seven years). If you follow Suthin Sukosolvisit, there are three things it would be hard not to notice. He is remarkably talented. He is also remarkably prolific. And best of all, he likes to have fun. For now, we’ll focus on the fun. In particular, Suthin’s occasional Just for fun posts on facebook. All three … Continue reading Just for Fun

Hedge Bonsai #2 and Some Loose Ends

The other day we featured a bonsai hedge by Joe Selworthy (Dan Barton’s talented twin) and now here’s another one with this caption: “Picture of my first Cotoneaster hedge with Deshojo maple which I sold several years ago.” Though you can’t tell from here, there’s some impressive detail on and around the little fence under the maple (see below). Recognize this tree? It’s a Cheng, Cheng-Kung Shimpaku juniper that we featured last week. Here’s part of our caption: …there’s something very unusual going on here. Not that I expect you to read my mind, but still, the first person … Continue reading Hedge Bonsai #2 and Some Loose Ends

Abstract Bonsai Art & Carving Deadwood, Sidiao Style

Abstract bonsai art. I think there’s a temptation to judge trees with elaborately carved deadwood (like this one). But maybe it’s best to just appreciate the the skill involved and not worry about too much deadwood or whether the result looks natural or not. Yesterday we featured Cheng, Cheng-Kung’s colorful side. Today we’ll touch upon his famous Sidao carving method and some results. Hopefully this will peak your interest. If it does, you can visit his website for more. Cheng, Cheng-Kung’s Sidiao method in a nutshell. There’s a lot more where this came from. Just another Shimpaku with … Continue reading Abstract Bonsai Art & Carving Deadwood, Sidiao Style

Juniper Bonsai Book Is Back!

Our famous Juniper book is back. Just in time for the gift season and for your winter bonsai study sessions. It has been thirteen months since we sold our last copy (number 5,000) of our Masters’ Series Juniper book. Too long really, but somehow time just slipped away. Anyway, we just got another 1,000 from the printer, so off we go. If you already own a copy, you can buy one for a friend (or, if you have more than one friend…). Rocky mountain juniper by Boon. From the gallery section of our Juniper book. Developing fine branching over … Continue reading Juniper Bonsai Book Is Back!

Power, Movement & Texture

Power, movement and texture. This astounding Itoigawa shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis Itoigawa) received an Honorable Mention at the 2015 Crespi Bonsai Cup which was held at the Crespi Bonsai Museum. It belongs to Gino Costa. The photos shown here are from the 2015 Crespi Bonsai Cup. I cropped them all to bring the trees closer and to eliminate background noise. You can see the uncropped photos of all 65 entries here. Here’s the First Prize tree and I can’t say I disagree. It’s a Mugo pine that belongs to Paolo Riboli. I like the natural grey of the deadwood, … Continue reading Power, Movement & Texture