I’m very excited to share photos from a recent trip to Japan. Here’s a taste. Large bonsai at Shinji Suzuki’s garden Before getting to that, however, I wanted to note, for those who haven’t heard, that I’m now doing bonsai full-time. I expect this year to be filled with a variety of fun bonsai activities […]
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.
Dropping in on a Bonsai Intensive
I had the opportunity to visit Boon’s workshop last week during a Bonsai Intensive. For those unfamiliar with the program, the Bonsai Intensive is a series of three day workshops that combine bonsai theory and practice. Boon started the program in 2001. Since then, many have graduated the 10-course program that culminates with a course […]
Final stroll through the Taikan-ten sales area
Many businesses in Japan announce closing time by playing a song called Hotaru no Hikari – The Light of the Firefly. It’s based on the tune of Auld Lang Syne. When the tune begins, you know it’s time to wrap up whatever is going on. It’s hard to leave a good bonsai show at the […]
Shimpaku at the Taikan-ten sales area
I’ve noted on a number occasions that juniper bonsai are primarily prized for two characteristics – the movement of the trunk and the quality of the deadwood. That’s a good starting point when evaluating junipers on display or in the sales area. At last year’s Taikan-ten in Kyoto I didn’t see many junipers that lacked […]
Shohin black pine extravaganza
No ado needed – here are some of the shohin black pines available at the 2015 Taikan-ten sales area. Black pine #1 Black pine #2 Black pine #3 Black pine #4 Black pine #5 Black pine #6 Black pine #7 Black pine #8 Black pine #9 Black pine #10 Black pine #11 Black pine #12 […]