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Takeo Kawabe’s bonsai garden

September 23, 2011 by Jonas Dupuich

When I saw the following photos from Boon’s visit to Japan, there was no doubt about whose garden they belonged to. I simply do not know that any other garden contains comparable material.

Carving project

Carving project

Ichii

Ichii

Bob King offered me additional photos from the same visit, and again, the photos were unmistakable.

Shimpaku

Shimpaku (Bob King photo)

Satsuki

Satsuki – massive trunks! (Bob King photo)

The toolshed, while not a giveaway, offers yet more evidence.

Kawabe workshop

Bonsai wire and tools (Bob King photo)

Kawabe workshop

More bonsai tools – note array of power tools throughout

The garden belongs to Takeo Kawabe. Kawabe studied with Kimura for 12 years before heading out on his own in 1989. He is the creator of many famous bonsai tools, including grinders, chain-saw like devices and most recently, a line of bonsai scissors. His garden contains some of the best “wood” anywhere. His impressive carving and grafting skills have combined with great artistic vision to produce some truly outstanding bonsai. He is, in many senses, where good bonsai comes from.

Kawabe Takeo

Kawabe Takeo (Bob King photo)

If you get the chance, I highly recommend visiting his garden or checking out his book – Bonsai Craftsman (His Soul and Footsteps). If anyone knows where the book might be available outside of Japan, do share!

Shimpaku

Kawabe’s famous Shimpaku – it twists like a tornado

Shimpaku

Beautiful deadwood

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Filed Under: Excursions Tagged With: Japan, Kawabe

Previous Post: « Mansai-en bonsai garden
Next Post: Visit to Daiju-en »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bruce says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:20 am

    I have never seen satsuki trunks like this! Amazing! Thanks for this consistently great bolg!

  2. Greg McCleary says

    September 24, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Woooowww….. BTW, is that a Colt pistol hanging with the wire in Mr. Kawabe’s workshop?

  3. Jose Luis says

    October 30, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Jonas,

    I sent you an email regarding Mr. Kawabe’s book and how you can get a copy.

    Kind regards,

    Jose Luis

  4. Jose Luis says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:44 am

    Jonas,

    I certainly hope you got a copy of Mr. Kawabe’s book. It gives you a different perspective on carving art (diaoke).

    Kind regards,

    Jose Luis

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