Bonsai Tonight

Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s 35th annual show

September 21, 2018 5 Comments

I’d like to share photos from some recent exhibits over the next few posts beginning with the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s 35th annual event held last month in Santa Rosa, California.

As always, the show featured demonstrations by Kathy Shaner, a large vendor area, and a variety of coast redwood bonsai.

Coast redwood, pot by Jan Rentenaar

Coast redwood

This year’s show also featured an exhibit of viewing stones provided by the San Francisco Suiseki Kai.

Suiseki and stand by Mas Nakajima

The show featured a good mix of trees that have been developed over a long time as well as more recently created specimens.

Boxwood

Old San Jose juniper

California juniper

The California juniper above has great deadwood – it’s the kind of tree that could look good in a number of different styles.

I brought a Korean hornbeam to the exhibit – a tree I more often display in winter.

Korean hornbeam

Shimpaku grafted on Sierra juniper

Chinese elm

Procumbens juniper

If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the trident maple below is growing on a rock.

Root over rock trident maple

Coast redwood

Trident maple

I’ve been visiting the REBS exhibit since the blog started. To see photos from past exhibits, click here.

Up next, bonsai from the Portland Bonsai Rendezvous.

The Suiseki Art of Mas Nakajima

September 18, 2018 2 Comments

Mas Nakajima created beautiful works of art by combining viewing stones with paintings. He referred to this work as Suiseki Art.

Masahiro Nakajima with Suiseki Art display

Suiseki Art is appreciated by the suiseki and bonsai communities, as well as the broader fine arts community.

Mas passed away last week near his home in Oakland, California. His daughter, Tomoko Nakajima, has provided the following information relating to his memorial service.

Letter from Tomoko Nakajima

My name is Tomoko Nakajima, I am Masahiro Nakajima’s eldest child. On Monday, September 10th, my father had a tragic accident in the backyard of his Oakland home. He later died at the Highland Hospital with his dear wife Janet Roth by his side. Our family are deeply saddened by this very sudden loss.

The memorial service will be on Saturday, September 22nd. We would be so grateful if you would attend:

Place: Chapel of the Chimes (Piedmont location)
Address: 4499 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 USA
Date: September 22, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm PDT (13:00)

Parking is available next to the facility and across the street (entrance on Piedmont Ave)
An informal reception will immediately follow the service

My family and I are so grateful for the outpouring of support and love this week. Please feel free to write back or call me if you would like more information. I look forward to seeing you at the service.

Sincerely,
Tomoko Nakajima