Bonsai Gallery: Five Magnificent Trees

Forest on a slab from Bonsai Today issue 23. Though the photo is uncaptioned it looks like it could be an Ezo spruce forest by Saburo Kato. Slant style Japanese maple in fall color. From Bonsai Today issue 14. Artist unknown. This is one of a handful of outstanding Japanese winterberries (Ilex serrata) that pop up here and there in Bonsai Today. It’s from issue 14 (it appears on both the cover and inside, though with different backgrounds). Artist unknown. Trident maple forest from Bonsai Today issue 14. I counted 29 trees, though it’s difficult (if not impossible) to tell … Continue reading Bonsai Gallery: Five Magnificent Trees

Inspired by the Master

I found this striking forest-on-a-cliff on facebook. It was posted by Dario Ascoli. It caught my attention for two reasons: first it stands on its own as decent bonsai with good potential for further development, and second, it is reminiscent of a famous Hinoki forest by Kimura (see below). Though I can’t find any information on this (who’s the artist etc), I’d wager that the trees are also Hinokis. Mature trees vs young trees Though comparisons are often odious (and unfair, especially when it’s with Kimura), still, older trees make for much more interesting forests. In this case, Kimura’s hinokis … Continue reading Inspired by the Master

The Magic Starts With An Idea

Finished. Most of Masahiko Kimura’s juniper masterpieces start and finish as one tree. Not so this one. The deadwood and each major branch all come from different places. How Kimura put all the pieces together is brilliant and novel. A few hints Rather than explain the whole process here, we’ll offer a few hints and leave the rest to your imagination (or, lacking that, you could get your hands on a copy of Bonsai Today issue 63 and see the whole process). Before. The pieces of the puzzle are gathered together. The deadwood after Kimura prepares it for the task … Continue reading The Magic Starts With An Idea

The Magician: After & Before

After. Pretty impressive, no? You’ll encounter very few bonsai that are both this powerful and this refined anywhere on this planet. In fact, I challenge you to find even one that rivals it (they do exist, but are oh so rare). Photo from Bonsai Today issue 59 (still available). Too refined? Masahiko Kimura has fallen out of favor with some people over the last few years. You might hear or see comments about how his bonsai is overly sculpted, overly refined, unnatural looking. For where I sit, it’s unfortunate when we feel we must take sides and pick either refined … Continue reading The Magician: After & Before

One More Day to Get What You Want & Be Frugal at the Same Time

Over 500 items discounted Some stuff is very dramatically discounted: The Magician, Shohin Bonsai, Bonsai from the Wild, Saikei and Art are all marked down to $9.95 each. Plus double discounts But not for long Tomorrow (Sept 30th) is the last day

Mammoth Book Discounts

One of our very best bonsai books marked down from $29.95 to $9.95. Why, you ask? Because we printed 3,000 and still have about 1,000 left. So, let’s liberate them and give you a chance to enjoy and learn from one of our best and most interesting bonsai artists. BTW: the image above gives you a glimpse into the inner workings of a publishing company. This isn’t the cover we ended up with. We changed the color from blue to green and the main heading to gold. Otherwise, everything is the same. We can’t do this with most books… … … Continue reading Mammoth Book Discounts

Kimura’s American Apprentice

Ryan Neil working on one of Masahiko Kimura‘s most famous trees. Photo from The Art of Bonsai Project. Coming Next Weekend Ryan Neil is appearing at The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York on September 13th. Ryan spent six years apprenticing to the world’s most famous bonsai master, Masahiko Kimura. If you live in the vicinity (or if you don’t mind traveling) you can see him demonstrate on a collected juniper and answer questions about being an apprentice in Japan, Master Kimura, bonsai, or whatever comes up. A little piece of an interview with Ryan to whet your appetite (from … Continue reading Kimura’s American Apprentice

More Shots (& Big, Big, Big Book Sale)

Another shot from the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibit (here for a post from a few days ago). This one (and the last one in this post) was sent to us by Bill Valavanis; the tireless man behind the whole wild and wonderful thing. Big, big, big book sale at Stone Lantern Just trying to squeeze this in to drum up a little business. Mid-summer always requires some extra effort. All the way from Japan. Kunio Kobayashi was not the only famous visitor (and in this case, judge), but he’s the only one with the title ‘Grand Master’ before his … Continue reading More Shots (& Big, Big, Big Book Sale)

Kimura’s Dragon & Old Magazines

Masahiko Kimura’s ‘Dragon’ from Bonsai Today issue 2 (long out of print). It also appeared in ‘The Bonsai Art of Kimura’ (also long out of print). The Magician, The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2 is still in print and is currently discounted. The good news & the bad news The good news is that we are selling our collection out-of-print Bonsai Todays that we have bought back from people over the years. The bad news is that many have already sold. More good news (maybe) We are buying back out-of-print Bonsai Today whenever the opportunity arises, so, if and when … Continue reading Kimura’s Dragon & Old Magazines

Stone Lantern’s Spring Sale Is Rolling Along

The Magican is one of the over 275 discounted items in our Spring Sale. Its discounted price is $12.00 (retail is $29.95). With volume discounts it’s price can be as low as $9.60. Over 275 items are individually discounted With purchases of $50 or more, all 275 plus items are doubly discounted. This makes for some very good prices.