Clump-style chojubai are relatively common. Less frequently seen are chojubai with single trunks. Here’s a great example of a slanting chojubai. Slant-style chojubai
Kokufu
Shimpaku at Kokufu 90
For spring break this year, I’ll share a few photos from February’s Kokufu exhibit in Tokyo. First up – a large, well-balanced shimpaku with great movement and deadwood. Shimpaku Regular posts will return in two weeks – see you then!
A final pass through Kokufu 88
The first time I visited the Kokufu-ten was in 1999. I remember thinking, “wow, that’s a lot of trees.” Over the course of a week I saw the exhibit twice and felt like I was only just starting to gain an appreciation for the subtle artistry that went into the trees. This year I was in […]
Shohin bonsai at Kokufu 88
Shohin bonsai, at Kokufu-ten, are saved for the last room. Each half of this year’s exhibit featured five displays with five or six trees each, followed by a handful of kifu-sized bonsai. Although many visitors have had it by the time they make it to the shohin room – not everyone is used to seeing 200+ […]
The Kokufu-ten tour continues
The Kokufu-ten is known for both the quality of its trees and the quantity. The annual exhibit typically features around 250 bonsai displays. While the large displays contain one tree each, the medium displays typically contain two trees, and the shohin displays include up to 6 small trees – a lot of bonsai under the same […]