On a visit to Aichi-en last fall, I saw a juniper that was a little too much.
Twisty shimpaku
The other side
Aichi-en apprentice Juan Andrade wasn’t very convinced by this tree with artificial twists. Junichiro Tanaka, on the other hand, suggested that the tree might take on more character as it ages and prove to be a more compelling bonsai at some point in the future. I’m curious as to how the tree might change over time in a way that downplays the barber’s pole effect.
Loosening up the twists a bit might look less artificial.
Less twisty shimpaku
The tree above has more relaxed curves which strike me as less forced. The twists are, however, fairly even which makes me wonder if the tree was collected or farmed.
More random twists seem less likely to be artificial. The juniper below has very interesting movement and irregular twists.
Irregular twists – shimpaku
Now, imagine someone took a younger version of one of these junipers and gave it a loop-the-loop.
Roller-coaster juniper
I don’t know where this tree came from, but I can’t help but guess that it didn’t grow this way naturally.
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Daniel Dolan says
Jonas:
Can you comment on the deadwood portion of these and other Junipers? I understand that in particular Yamadori that there is naturally created deadwood and that the boundaries of this deadwood might be modified to enhance certain formal features of the tree. In the case of other junipers, including those like these “farmed” examples, was this deadwood created by removing live cambium layers?
Thanks, as always.
D/D
Chicago
Jonas Dupuich says
In general, deadwood is modified on collected or farmed trees by removing the live cambium.
Rusty says
Jonas, did you notice that there are many more shimpaku now at Aichi-en than when you visited there for the first time? I think it is because Juan like Shimpaku and Oyakata has been getting more material for him to work on 🙂
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Rusty – yes, there were lots more shimpaku! Overall, there are a lot of changes in the garden – it was fun to see so many new trees!
Nancy says
Those twists are nauseating!
Daniel Keller says
Next someone will take three skinny shimpakus and braid them as has been done with ficus. The twists are not my cup ‘o sake either.
jim gremel says
For me, the first tree is magnificent, but the “less twisty” one is too artificial, too easily understood. Both, of course, are stylized attempts to look like collected trees.
africanbirding says
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
Thomdec says
I prefer a more natural look for bonsai. Rugged, yet refined is what I look for … beauty in the beast.
Bruce Winter says
So much tension on the rising trunk of the falling cascade. Even with the wires, it would worry me.