Japanese White Pines at Kokufu

Close up of multiple trunk Japanese white pine. It looks a lot like a raft style* planting. This and the other photos shown here were taken at the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. I cropped the original shot (just below) for a closer look We’ve got some Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora) from the Kokufu Exhibition that we found at Kazumatsu Bonsai. They don’t say what year the shots are from, but given that they were just posted, you might guess 2018 Just in case you’re new to bonsai, Kokufu is the oldest and most famous Bonsai Exhibition in the world. It takes place … Continue reading Japanese White Pines at Kokufu

Our National Bonsai Treasure

This Sargent juniper (Aka Shimpaku) resides at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by Doug Paul, owner of the Kennett Collection. This photo and the others shown here, were taken and generously offered by Robert Vitale. The plant varieties and names of the donors are courtesy of Janice Vitale and Michael James We just featured a post about a great job opening at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, so let’s stay on theme The U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is one of our true national treasures and a great place to visit next time you’re in or around DC. … Continue reading Our National Bonsai Treasure

Green T Bonsai Monster Turntables – Now 20% Off

Just in case you think your monster bonsai is too big for a Green T Hydraulic Lift Turntable… “Matsuda san is the new entry in the Masahiko Kimura Bonsai family… has already gained world recognition.” And of course Green T is an important part of Kimura’s workshop (see below). A Green T Turntable will change the way your work on your bonsai and enhance the results… and you’ll enjoy the journey Now Green T’s are 20% off with our SITE WIDE SALE Green T Basic regular price 385.00 NOW ONLY 308.00 with your Site Wide Sale Green T Plus regular price 495.00 … Continue reading Green T Bonsai Monster Turntables – Now 20% Off

One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

This Kuromatsu, aka Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) was featured at the 27th Japan Bonsai Writer Association exhibition (Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyokai exhibition), where this photo was taken. I cropped the original photo (see just below) for a closer look at just the tree I found this magnificent tree on The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum‘s timeline. This famous museum is home to some of the best bonsai in the world and this Japanese black pine is certainly no exception. To my eye it is one of the most unique pines we’ve featured in our ten years of blogging (well, nine years and 10 months). It’s so … Continue reading One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Before and after Juniper by Bonsai Mike made quick and easy (or at least quick). Here’s part what Mike wrote about this tree and the event where the transformation took place… “I’d like to thank the Puget Sound Bonsai Association for bringing me up to Seattle… Here’s a before and after of my demo tree. Deadwood still needs to be finished.” Yesterday we featured a before and after by Bonsai Mike. Today, we’ve got another of Mike’s B&As. Both are junipers and both are impressive in their own right. After that, most similarities end. Yesterday’s was a monster yamadori where the process … Continue reading A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), before and after by Bonsai Mike. You can see the potential peeking out underneath the foliage in the before shot. Still, an impressive transformation Today’s tree belongs to Bonsai Mike, a first timer here on Bark (as distinguished from Michael Bonsai, who has appeared here numerous times). Here’s what Mike wrote about this old yamadori juniper… “One of my best trees. I collected this Sierra in 2011. It has gone through 3 stylings since then and keeps improving. The foliage is getting a little heavy now. In order to show greater age, some branches must be removed in … Continue reading Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

This little Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) looks old and yet is so small. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there’s something about the brilliance and purity of quince flowers. Let’s make it three straight for Haruyosi, a favorite here and anywhere people love small trees. This isn’t the first time for this post (nor is it the second time). Must be one of our favorites. NEW STONE LANTERN SITE WIDE SALE 10% off Orders 10.00 – 49.99 15% off Orders 50.00 – 99.99 20% off Orders 100.00 or more see below – Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed half … Continue reading Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

More Pots, Pines & Other Small Bonsai

Shimpaku juniper with stand and stone in a show display. I know the tree is Haruyosi’s and I’m pretty sure the pot is also his. I’m not sure about the stand, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Haruyosi made it Continuing where we left off with Haruyosi’s small bonsai. If you want more, you can enjoy a wealth of great photos on Haruyosi’s fb site and here on Bonsai Bark as well Continued below… SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT 40% OFF ALL BOOKS 40% OFF ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS SEE BELOW – Another small Shimpaku. This too is part of a show display, but I cropped it to focus on … Continue reading More Pots, Pines & Other Small Bonsai

Small Bonsai Are Still Beautiful Bonsai

This little deciduous tree with its profusion of small orange fruit isn’t identified, so we can only guess. Based on the fruit and the bark we’ll try Crabapple. If we’re wrong and you know what it is (or think you do) you can put it in the comments on our timeline. Short trees and short time today, which is why we’ll take that easy way out and bring back a favorite from our archives. This one originally appeared almost exactly one year ago (Dec 5th, 2017). I’ve long had a soft spot for Shohin bonsai and these are some of my favorites Continued below… THREE DAYS ONLY 40% OFF ALL … Continue reading Small Bonsai Are Still Beautiful Bonsai

Keen Observation & Considerable Skill

Windswept bonsai are few and far between. Especially really good ones like this. It’s not just a question of pointing everything in one direction. It must be done in a way that’s convincing. This involves keen observation and considerable skill We haven’t seen many bonsai from India, but if these trees are representative, I’m impressed. Beyond impressed really, they are that good. They were posted by Sanjay Dham. No varieties are given. TWO NEW 30% off SPECIALS 3 DAYS ONLY see below On the surface, literati (bunjin) bonsai seem simple enough. But it’s really about feeling and subtlety. Like the windswept tree … Continue reading Keen Observation & Considerable Skill