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 […]
Shimpaku
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 […]
A juniper with character
Great junipers have great character. The twists and turns of the trunk convey a tree’s response to its environment. In the best examples, this movement is beautiful and unique. Shimpaku This is one of the most striking trees I saw on my recent trip to Japan. It was displayed at Houshun-in temple, part of the Daitoku-ji complex, […]
Junipers and maples at Nomoto Chinshou-en
Although Daisaku Nomoto is well known for his pine work, he’s also a big fan of junipers and deciduous varieties. Walking through his nursery was a great opportunity to see trees that were well developed next to trees still in the project phase. Large shimpaku Shimpaku Shimpaku with great deadwood Shimpaku […]
Mr. Kita’s junipers
On our way to visit Ishii’s nursery last fall, Akio Kondo took Boon, Peter and myself to visit one of his customers – Mr. Kita. Kita has a small, but impressive, bonsai collection. Trees like the juniper below. Large shimpaku Impressive, yes, but was this the front? The other side, too, has great features. The […]