An unusual collected juniper
If the collected Sierra juniper below tells a story, I’m not sure what to make of it. Nicknamed, “hermaphrodite,” the tree received a lot of attention at Bay Island Bonsai’s recent exhibit. The deadwood and shari are interesting, but not without controversy. Discussion often involves whether or not the primary branch is necessary. For now the answer is yes.
Sierra juniper
side view
Deadwood detail
Deadwood detail
deadwood detail
As displayed in the exhibit
Akio Kondo Bonsai Award – 2011
Akio Kondo Bonsai Award – 2011
Bay Island Bonsai members were happy to entertain a visiting bonsai professional from Japan at their recent exhibit. Akio Kondo was in Northern California to visit the exhibit, to work on client trees, and to teach. While at the exhibit, Kondo selected a tree for a new award, the Akio Kondo Bonsai Award. The winning tree was a Korean hornbeam.
Korean hornbeam, Carpinus turczaninovii, 16″ – Raho pot
Side view
I was very happy – and surprised! – to learn that my hornbeam had won the award.
Kondo presenting the award
On January 15, 2011, at the annual bonsai exhibit of Bay Island Bonsai, this award was given to the owner of the bonsai deemed most worthy of the award in this year’s exhibit according to Akio Kondo.
The award included a Japanese bonsai pot and an autographed copy of the 2010 Sakufu-ten show book – an event at which Kondo took the second most prestigious prize for exhibiting a beautiful hinoki he has worked on since 2005.
I have worked on this hornbeam since 2002. The trunk was in good shape when I acquired the tree but the branches lacked character so most were removed or pruned severely, as was the previous apex. Nine years later, the tree is starting to develop a more mature silhouette. Here is the tree as it was displayed at the exhibit.
As displayed with small shimpaku and accent
I am very honored to accept this award and I hope I can continue to improve the tree as it ages.
Play of light
Sunlight coming through the windows at Bay Island Bonsai’s recent exhibit created some interesting shadows.
Pine with second thoughts about becoming a Western juniper
Spruce joining California juniper and Beech in spirit
More photos from the exhibit coming soon!
Twelve years later
Bay Island Bonsai’s 12th annual Exhibit of Fine Bonsai will be held this coming weekend, January 15th and 16th, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The exhibit will feature hands-on demonstrations, an expanded vendor area, an auction of high-quality trees, and nearly 100 formally displayed bonsai.
Chinese Elm from BIB’s 2010 Exhibit
This year’s exhibit also welcomes a new feature – the Akio Kondo Bonsai Award. Kondo was Boon’s senior apprentice, or senpai, when the two apprenticed at Kihachi-en. Kondo is visiting from Japan and has agreed to select an outstanding bonsai for the prize.
For those of you who don’t know the story, the exhibit is the result of Boon’s desire to produce “one good show.” He expressed this desire upon returning from his apprenticeship with Yasuo Mitsuya in Japan. Boon formed BIB soon thereafter, and eighteen months later we held our first exhibit in January, 2000.
Announcement of the first BIB exhibit in Golden Statements
BIB had maybe twelve members at the time. As many of you know, even small bonsai exhibits can entail a lot of hard work. After a busy weekend, we packed up our trees, dismantled the backdrops, loaded the supplies and returned everything to Alameda where one by one, in the rain, three of us returned the last of the backdrops to Morten’s basement.
As we were hungry, Boon, Morten and I headed to the Gold Coast Grille for some comfort food. We were exhausted, and ate in silence. At one point Morten looked up with a wan smile and said, “I think it was a good show.” I tried to smile, Boon just stared. We were simply too tired to think clearly. After some reflection, we agreed with Morten, and started planning improvements for the next year’s exhibit.
The Bay Island Bonsai website offers a more detailed history as well as general information about the organization. As always, the organization remains open to all who are serious about learning bonsai and who can participate in BIB events like our annual exhibit. I hope to see you there!
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