Special displays at the 50th Gafu-ten

I’ve noticed, in recent years, more and more special displays at Japanese bonsai exhibits. I think of a special display as any approach to bonsai display other than the standard arrangement of trees and accents within an approximately six foot space.

At this year’s Gafu-ten – the 50th anniversary event – there were special displays featuring trees, pots, and photos showing tree development over time.

Special bonsai display at Gafu-ten

Although the Gafu-ten is a shohin-focused event, there were a few larger trees in the room, including the trees below.

Ume and pine

I’m a big fan of displays that provide insight into bonsai development such as the example featuring a sekka hinoki below.

Progression photos of a sekka hinoki

This year’s event also featured a fairly unusual display featuring twelve shohin junipers.

Shohin juniper display

Despite the repetition of species, the display followed a simple convention: the trees on the left pointed to the right and the trees on the right flowed to the left.

Five junipers flowing to the right

Six junipers flowing to the left

The trees themselves revealed a similar approach to styling. As is common among shohin junipers these days, many were created by starting with medium-sized trees and building the silhouette with a single low branch. The result is a dramatic small tree with ten-jin (jin that rises above the foliage) and strong flow.

Itoigawa juniper

Juniper with two lifelines

Slender-trunk juniper with a single lifeline

Juniper with at least three lifelines

I don’t know how long these trees have been in training, but I’d guess the carving work is relatively fresh. In time, I expect the deadwood to take on an appearance of greater age as it dries and cracks.

All that said, what’s the point of an all-juniper display? Although I don’t know what the owner’s goal was, I’d imagine the idea was simply to find a fun way to show off a variety of junipers.

News & Updates

• This weekend (January 18-19) is the Bay Area Bonsai Associates’ 43rd annual exhibit. Hours are Saturday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm at the Lakeside Garden Center at 666 Bellevue Ave. in Oakland, California. In addition to the show, there will be bonsai items for sale and a demonstration at 6:30pm Saturday night.

• The Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai’s 61st annual exhibit has been canceled due to local fires.