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Lights, camera – bonsai!
Two lights per tree – that was the sum of the lighting at the Artisans Cup. The effect was dramatic. My first view of the exhibit To better convey the shape of the tables and backdrops, here’s a shot...
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East Bay Bonsai Society’s 54th Bonsai Show
The East Bay Bonsai Society held their 54th bonsai show earlier this month at the Lakeside Garden Center in Oakland, California. The show features quite different trees from year to year – this year’s...
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Large trees from the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
Each time I visit the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, different trees catch my attention. The last time I stopped by, some of the larger trees struck me as looking good....
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A visit to Gordon Deeg’s garden
Gordon Deeg is a familiar name to Northern California bonsai enthusiasts. He has served more positions in more bonsai organizations than I can count. A former Chairman of the Bonsai Garden at Lake...
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Shohin bonsai from Gordon Deeg
During my visit to Gordon Deeg’s garden, I was struck by how many shohin bonsai I found. Small conifers, broadleaf evergreens and deciduous varieties filled narrow benches around the garden. Trident...
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Coast redwood branch refinement
I’ve found that my coast redwood is one of the fastest growing trees in the garden. After cutting the tree back in July, it was completely full again by October. Coast redwood – 3 months after cutback...
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Five weeks ago I cut back and wired a coast redwood. Even though it’s mid-November, the tree is filling in quickly and some of the wires are already beginning to cut in. Coast redwood – 5 weeks after...
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Needle juniper at 35th Taikan-ten
A few weeks ago I made a last minute decision to head to Japan to visit the 35th Taikan-ten held in Kyoto. I’m glad I did. Visiting exhibits in Japan provides a great opportunity to catch up with...
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Prize-winning black pine at 35th Taikan-ten
What kind of trees win prizes at prestigious Japanese exhibits like Taikan-ten? Trees like the black pine below. Black pine This tree took top honors at this year’s Taikan-ten. The work is by Masahiko...
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Korean hornbeam display
This year’s Taikan-ten featured a special display area devoted to an impressive collection of Korean hornbeams. Hornbeams are a favorite variety of mine as they can show great character in the trunk...
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The heart of Japan – Keiji Tanaka display at 35th Taikan-ten
One of the highlights of this year’s Taikan-ten was a special display featuring specimens from the Keiji Tanaka collection. Three bonsai and two suiseki were exhibited in a display designed by Seiji...
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More than an accent
Referring to the companion pieces at fine exhibits as “accents” doesn’t always do them justice. Using the Japanese “kusamono” isn’t much better as the term translates directly to “grass-” or...
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More shitakusa from Taikan-ten
The accent below is common – can someone provide the name? If you look carefully, you’ll notice a shoot from a different plant – the leaf looks like kinzu to me. Ajania pacifica (formerly Chrysanthemum...
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A curious display
I’ll keep this post simple – does anyone know the story behind this display from last month’s Taikan-ten? Display with figures Figures on burl wood Close-up Box of figures
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A juniper with character
Great junipers have great character. The twists and turns of the trunk convey a tree’s response to its environment. In the best examples, this movement is beautiful and unique. Shimpaku This is one of...
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Genko Kai exhibit at Hoshun-in
Seiji Morimae, proprietor of S-Cube Bonsai in Japan, runs a bonsai organization called Genko Kai. Coincident with this year’s Taikan-ten, the Genko Kai held an exhibit at the Houshun-in temple, one of...
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Bonsai displays at Hoshun-in
To give a better idea of what it was like to experience the Genko Kai exhibit at Hoshun-in, here are a couple of shots that show how the rooms were set up. (Thanks to Chris C. for the suggestion!)...
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Suiseki at Genko Kai exhibit
The Genko Kai exhibit at Hoshun-in Temple featured nearly as many stones as it did bonsai. Most evoked mountains – the rest took a variety of forms from figures to huts to islands. There was good...
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Shohin black pine extravaganza
No ado needed – here are some of the shohin black pines available at the 2015 Taikan-ten sales area. Black pine #1 Black pine #2 Black pine #3 Black pine #4 Black pine #5 Black pine #6 Black pine #7...
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Shimpaku at the Taikan-ten sales area
I’ve noted on a number occasions that juniper bonsai are primarily prized for two characteristics – the movement of the trunk and the quality of the deadwood. That’s a good starting point when...
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