I recently returned from a trip to Japan for the World Bonsai Convention. Before getting to the show, I was able to visit a number of bonsai and satsuki nurseries that were new to me. The first of these was Koju-en.
Koju-en
Koju-en is a Kyoto bonsai nursery run by Tomohiro Masumi. Masumi is a well-known professional that focuses on small-sized trees. His garden was full of them.
Shohin shimpaku bonsai
Zelkovas
Sekka Hinoki
Masumi and several helpers were busy preparing trees for the World Bonsai Convention when we visited. If he was stressed, he didn’t show it.
Admiring the small trees
Masumi (on the right) oversees workers preparing trees for the WBC
If Masumi has a specialty, I couldn’t identify it. From what I saw, he does great work with many different varieties.
White pine
Chojubai
A table of chojubai
Trident maples in colorful pots
More trident maples
I enjoyed seeing so many small pines in such close proximity. I’d be happy if I could fill even a fraction of a bench with such material.
Black pines
More pines
Stay tuned for more posts from Japan next week!
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Jonas Sidrys says
I visited this nursery in early April. They were reporting their Zelkovas. I loved walking through this forest of little trees. So wish that I could have bought one to take home.
He didn’t let me go upstairs to see the trees on the roof. Do you know what was up there?
Jonas Dupuich says
Good question – it sounded like Masumi generally doesn’t invite visitors to view the rooftop collections as they are mostly client trees.