Staying on Theme, Only this Time with a Little More Color

The color on this flowering pear was a bit ahead of most of the other trees at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. This and the other photos in this post were shot in late September by Kurt Simonson. Close up so you can see some of the leaves, the base of the trunk and the moss a little better. Were going to keep going with our the Pacific Bonsai Museum theme. This time with a bit more color. Even though late September was a little early for full force fall foliage (sorry) in the Pacific Northwest, some of the trees were … Continue reading Staying on Theme, Only this Time with a Little More Color

20 Thoughts on Bunjin Bonsai – Without a Doubt the Best Discussion We’ve Ever Had

Would you call this a Bunjin style bonsai? Whatever you call it, you don’t see too many bonsai that look like this. Even most bunjin are not quite like this; most are conifers and most don’t have such a meandering array of multiple trunks, especially multiple crossing trunks. And then there’s the leaf size (is this a Sumac?). Without a doubt… Back to our the archives. But not to just any old post; this one from 2012 provoked what was and still is, without a doubt, the best discussion we’ve ever had (in six and a half years and over … Continue reading 20 Thoughts on Bunjin Bonsai – Without a Doubt the Best Discussion We’ve Ever Had

New Bonsai Blog & Two More Events

This magnificent Sumac belongs to Hiroshi Takeyama. You can read about it and other bonsai wonders on Bill Valavanis new bonsai blog. First the new blog… It’s Bill Valavanis’ latest bonsai venture and already (after five posts) I’m a fan. It’s aptly called Valavanis Bonsai Blog, Welcome To My Bonsai World. As you might expect the photos are great (there’s lots of them too) and the writing is good. But then, I’ve long appreciated Bill’s passion for and devotion to bonsai, so I’m not at all surprised by yet another effort to share that passion with the rest of us. … Continue reading New Bonsai Blog & Two More Events

Moving Out of the Bonsai Mainstream with a Deft and Delicate Touch

Would you call this a Bunjin style bonsai? Whatever you call it, you don’t see too many bonsai that look like this. Even most bunjin are not quite like this; most are conifers and most don’t have such a meandering array of multiple trunks, especially multiple crossing trunks. And then there’s the leaf size (is this a Sumac?). I’ve long had a soft spot for the type of bonsai shown here. The uncontrived elegance that shows no concern for our current interest in muscular trunks, wide nebaris, carved wood… even most bunjin bonsai don’t quite go where these trees seem … Continue reading Moving Out of the Bonsai Mainstream with a Deft and Delicate Touch

Bonsai Pioneers

This remarkable photo is titled Geijutsu Works, Kobayashi’s Garden. I take this to mean that it’s from Kunio Kobayashi’s famous book, Bonsai (see below). Though my guessing is often suspect, I’m pretty sure this distinguished tree is an Ume (Japanese flowering apricot). This is based in part on its remarkable deadwood (if you’re not in a big rush, stop for moment and take a close look). You seldom see deadwood on deciduous trees, with Ume being an exception. This, coupled with the fact that it looks like an Ume, cinches it. Murata, Kato, Kobayashi, Kimura This isn’t the first time … Continue reading Bonsai Pioneers