Oomurasan’s garden

Trees regularly rotate in and out of the Shinpukuji Bonsai Museum. When not on display, these trees – and countless project trees – reside in Mr. Oomura’s backyard. Set atop the mountain on which Shinpukuji Temple is located, the garden offers views of Aichi prefecture’s mountains and some great bonsai.

The Garden

A large black pine in the backyard features an exceptionally long branch. The photo below shows the shorter of two long branches – the other extends around 40′.

Large black pine

Black pine with interesting trunk

Like most of Japan in late summer, the garden was alive with insects. Some were beneficial.

Natural Pest Control

Others were decidedly not helpful.

Japanese maple – insect damage

The holes in the maple above were created by beetles that gnawed their way through the tree during the summer months. They often enter trees through the branches and slowly make their way toward the base of the trunk. Then, overnight, pencil-sized holes appear out of nowhere from which adult beetles emerge.

A more charming aspect of Mr. Oomura’s garden is the great number of seedlings, cuttings and other young trees that fill the garden. He is particularly fond of princess persimmon. Some had long fruit, others short – some had red fruit, other fruit was orange or yellow.

A sampling of young Princess Persimmon

The bulk of the garden featured more mature specimens like the wisteria below.

Wisteria

Or this massive spruce.

Awesome spruce

If circumstances allowed it, I think I’d take great enjoyment in working on these trees year-round. Thanks to the fun mix of trees and the natural setting, it’s one of my favorite bonsai gardens to visit.