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Bonsai from Takasago-an

January 8, 2013 by Jonas Dupuich

When I visited Takasago-an in 2011, many of Daizo Iwasaki’s best trees were on display elsewhere. That did not, however, mean there was a lack of amazing bonsai to see. Gauging by numbers of each variety in the garden, Iwasaki was most fond of white pines. But with so many trees around, even less prevalent varieties, like the red pines below, could be counted by the dozen.

Red pine

Big red pine

A number of the nurseries I visited featured similar large red pines with spectacular bark. Many were young in their development as bonsai, but were coming along nicely. A surprising number of them had trunks larger than my waist.

Red pine

Large red pine

Red pine

Red pine

Red pine

Another large red pine

Junipers, black pines and selected deciduous trees also made their residence at Takasago-an. Many of these too were quite large.

Shimpaku

Shimpaku

Shimpaku

Shimpaku

It’s one thing to say there were over 100 giant white pine bonsai in the parking lot, but it’s another to believe it. Row after row of pines like the specimen below filled an area larger than most hobbyists’ gardens.

White pine

White pine

I don’t remember what was in the middle of the giant grafting project below, and I couldn’t even reach half way to the top of it. Scale did not intimidate Mr. Iwasaki.

Massive grafting project

Massive grafting project

A small courtyard at the other end of the property held most of the deciduous trees. Many varieties were represented.

Deciduous trees

Deciduous bonsai

Chinese quince

Chinese quince

Oddly, the workshop was empty when I visited. It must have taken an army to maintain the place.

Workshop

Workshop

Nor did I see anyone watering. I’m sure sprinklers helped, but that’s more than one person’s hose duty on hot summer days.

Sprinkler

Sprinkler

Turning corners was as likely to yield another 1,000 year old tree or a stack of suiseki. Sometimes both. Seeing stones like these on outdoor shelves made me wonder what treasures were kept inside.

Suiseki

Suiseki

Beyond the walls of the garden, Shikoku’s mountains made an attractive setting for this unparalleled collection of trees.

Takasago-An

Mountains above Takasago-an

This ends the recapitulation of my 2011 visit to Japan – starting Friday, it’s back to the standard bonsai reporting from the Bay Area and beyond. I hope you enjoyed the Japanese adventure!

✕

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Filed Under: Excursions Tagged With: Japan

Previous Post: « Takasago-an
Next Post: Shree Bonsai »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daniel Dolan says

    January 8, 2013 at 6:39 am

    Jonas:

    Than you for these great photos………………but who was Mr. Iwasaki? What did he do? When did he start this creation? How many people do care for it? Did he create any of these trees or was he a collector? A little background information, if you have it, would be appreciated.

    Thank you
    D/D
    Chicago

  2. Steve DaSilva says

    January 8, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Thanks for sharing your travels!

  3. Juan says

    January 8, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Dan, use your fingers and Google him. He was one of the big players in advancing bonsai in Japan and the world.

  4. Ryan says

    January 8, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Jonas, Thank you so much for the whirlwind tour of some of the finest examples of bonsai anywhere.

  5. Bonsai junkie says

    January 8, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Great post Jonas but in not sure of the reference of your waist and large trees

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