I’ll be taking a break from the blog for the next few weeks, but new posts will return mid-December. In the meantime, here are some photos from the 2011 Taikan-ten exhibit. See you next month! Bunjin black pine Massive shimpaku Formal upright black pine Flaky bark Root over rock chojubai Accent with moss and selaginella […]
Taikan-ten
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 […]
A curious display
I’ll keep this post simple – does anyone know the story behind this display from last month’s Taikan-ten? Display with figures Figures on burl wood Close-up Box of figures