There are a number of things I expect to see at Bay Island Bonsai workshops – good trees, good work, and enthusiasts of all levels enjoying the day. For those unfamiliar with bonsai workshops, this is what a good one looks like. Cleaning up a Mendocino cypress surrounded by great junipers Boon Manakivipart working on an […]
Excursions
Excursion posts feature visits to bonsai gardens in the U.S. and in Japan, visits to the Kyoto's Most Renown Gardens, and trips into the mountains to see junipers and pines in their natural setting.
Omiya Bonsai Museum
For those who have yet to visit the Omiya Bonsai Museum, I highly recommend it. The collection is small, but the quality is high. Indoor displays teach bonsai basics. An outdoor garden allows for strolling among famous trees. My favorite exhibits include an overview of the history of bonsai and of the Omiya Bonsai Village. Old […]
Post 701 – Kimura’s creations
In recent years, Masahiko Kimura has created a number of compositions that use young trees planted on stones. Some of these creations suggest landscapes. In other cases, the stones suggest large trunks or more abstract shapes. These creations are fun to look at, and are a great use of young material. Enjoy! Hinoki Shimpaku Shimpaku Shimpaku Shimpaku […]
Needle juniper foliage
On my last visit to Aichi-en, Juan Andrade and I took some time to compare the different foliage on some of the needle junipers in the garden. Needle juniper Needle juniper foliage It turns out there can be quite a difference in leaf size between specimens. If you’re working with a small tree, smaller foliage […]
Twists and movement
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 […]