Taikan-ten – awesome bonsai

I hope it’s been obvious from my recent posts, but in case it isn’t, I’d like to underscore the fact that the great bonsai exhibits in Japan feature some really great trees. The Taikan-ten in Kyoto is the second largest exhibit in Japan and it always includes some outstanding trees. Special displays feature Kokufu and Sakufu prize-winners. These are typically very large and very old bonsai. It can be difficult to keep such trees healthy, let alone move them from one bench to another. Their beauty reflects not only great bonsai skill, but also great caring as their maintenance over long periods of time requires considerable resources.

Although the show isn’t organized by size or variety, I’ve taken license in presenting like groups of trees for dramatic effect. Doing this helps remind me just how many fantastic pines, for instance, the show contained.

I hope you enjoy the photos below, and I’d like to wish you all a happy new year!  I appreciate your readership and engaged comments – they mean a lot to me. To borrow a phrase from Peter Tea, thanks for reading!

Japanese black pine from Mr. Moriyama’s collection

Japanese black pine – work by a Daiju-en graduate

Japanese black pine – from Mr. Moriyama’s collection

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine displayed at this year’s Gomangoku

Japanese black pine

Semi-cascade Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine on a rock

Cascade Japanese black pine

Japanese white pine from Mr. Moriyama’s collection – one of the trees I helped prepare for the exhibit

Japanese white pine – received 2011 Kokufu Prize and Prime Minister Award at the 2010 Taikan-ten

Japanese white pine – although the pot looks new, it’s likely over 100 years old

Japanese white pine – a great conversation piece

Japanese white pine

Hemlock – a favorite among many Taikan-ten visitors

Formal upright hinoki bonsai

Ezo spruce

Ezo spruce – received 2011 Kokufu Prize

Ezo spruce – deadwood detail

Needle juniper

Shimpaku – received 2010 Sakufu Prize

Shimpaku

Shiimpaku

Roughbark Japanese maple

Trident maple – from Mr. Moriyama’s collection

Japanese winterberry – work by a Daiju-en graduate

Japanese maple

Ginkgo

Korean hornbeam – received 2011 Kokufu Prize

Japanese maple – possibly shishigashira

Japanese flowering quince – ‘Chojubai’

Kadsura

Satsuki azalea