The powerful Yew with its flowing deadwood, reddish bark and that innovative little piece of deadwood that's used as a companion, belongs to Mauro Stemberger, The pot is a Tokoname

The other day in our newsletter, I mentioned some Yews I had just dug. For the sake of inspiration, I'm posting what they could look like in a few decades (or maybe never)

One of the great things about Yews is they grow almost everywhere. Half the landscapes here in the Eastern U.S. sport a yew or two. For some of us, it’s possible to find good ones for bonsai in our own front yards (suburban Yamadori*). Or someone else’s front yard (just don’t get caught…. JK)

This famous Yew by Bonsai Master Masahiko Kimura stops my mind every time I see it.  It's from our book The Magician, the Bonsai Art of Kimura 2

This one may not look exactly like anything you'll see in nature, but it certainly jumps off the page. The extensive and very time consuming carving (as well as the trimming and wiring) is by Kevin Willson. Photo by Simon Carr

This muscular Japanese yew resides at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama, Japan, along with numerous other top tier bonsai. Though you can't see the back, it's possible that the single live vein in the front supports all of the foliage in the tree's considerable crown

A good example of Walter Pall's naturalistic style with a pot that fits it to a tee. I think it's one tree with a large hole in the center of the trunk. It's another Japanese yew. The pot is by Walter Venne. The tree was originally collected in Korea and is said to be over 100 years old

*All the trees shown here are most likely real yamadori (bonsai that were originally collected in nature) as contrasted with what you might call urban or suburban yamadori, (or even urbandori). Terms we've seen for trees dug in landscapes

Juniper with shadows and wisteria in full bloom. The tree and the backdrop are from Luis Vallejo's collection. I found this photo and the others shown here at Bonsai Empire

All, or virtually all of the old collectable wild Shimpaku junipers in the mountains of Japan, have ago long been harvested for bonsai. It looks like the trees shown here might belong to that group of yamadori bonsai* (bonsai collected from the wild) which means they must be quite valuable. But I imagine you can tell that just by looking at them 

* There are other possibilities, so we can't say for certain that these all came from Japan

I cropped the photo above for a closer look at the trunk, especially the interplay of the deadwood and live vein, a feature that is often exaggerated by carving on old and not-so-old Shimpaku

This shot was taken at the Bonsai San show in France

Here's another shot from the Bonsai San show

Again, cropped for a closer look. Good cascading bonsai like this one are not that common, as it is challenging to keep the lowest growth healthy and vigorous. You might imagine that this one was originally growing down the side of a steep mountain or cliff

This shot was taken at a temple near Tokyo 

Here's your link to Bonsai Empire for more great photos

Want to learn from the Old (and New) Masters
about Shimpaku and other Junipers? 
Our Masters Series Growing and Styling Juniper Bonsai
Is a great place to start
and to continue developing you skills & knowledge
  

This very exaggerated, very large S-curve juniper was posted by Walter Pall. Walter didn't mention the size, so we'll have to imagine just how large it is. I cropped the original (below) for a closer look at the S-curve

S curves seem have fallen out of favor in all but the most commercial bonsai circles. The invasion of tens of thousands of inexpensive bonsai, each with its own obvious S-curve might have something to do with it. Or maybe most S-curves are just too boring

Having said this, I kinda like S-curves. Or at least some of them. Ones that are unusual or so subtle you barely notice the curve. Or ones that are large and exaggerated like the one above. Fortunately, Walter Pall has obliged us with a few S-curves of his own, so we can get a feel for what they look like in the hands of a real pro

This soft S-curve at the top half of what starts out as a straight trunk, has a peaceful, inviting effect. The gradual, near perfect taper doesn't hurt either 

This S-curve is so severe that you might not notice or think of it as an S-curve at all. Part of it being almost hidden helps the disguise

  An S-curve on top of an S-curve? 

No S-curve here. Just a trunk with a mind of its own

Walter's original photo

The photos shown here were all posted by Walter Pall

Before and after Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) by Pavel Slovák. Pavel doesn't say, but this one looks like a yamadori (bonsai collected from the wild)

One of the great advantages of Mugo pines (aka Swiss mountain pine) for bonsai is they are so readily available. You can find them in nurseries almost anywhere and they come in a large variety of cultivars, from very dwarf to very large sizes

The smaller ones are characterized by short tight needles and short internodes, both advantages for bonsai. Another advantage to Mugo is they bud back easily, unlike some other pines

Pavel's after shot. You might notice the guy wire. You can't see how it's attached to the trunk, but it could be with a small screw

I cropped this one for a closer look at the trunk and deadwood

Pavel's original before shot. It never hurts to start with good stock

 The artist himself. Now that you can see the tree more or less in scale, II'll bet it's larger than you thought

 Here's your link to our source for these photos

Though this impressive tree has Penjing written all over it, the overall shape looks Japanese influenced. I can't say what this tree is, though the fruit looks like maybe Kumquat. And then there's the question about whether the fruit is attached by the hands of humans. A not uncommon trick in some places. 

We're going to Taiwan today. A land where most bonsai is clearly in the Chinese Penjing tradition, but where Japanese influence has crept in more recently. This is especially true of field grown Junipers from the inland mountain of Taiwan that look a lot like Shimpaku. Still, most of the trees shown here are more Penjing style, though there's one Juniper that is clearly influenced by the Japanese

Our source gives no varieties or attribution. Scroll down to the bottom if you'd like a link to more of these wonderful trees 

I like the natural, almost untouched by human hands feeling this one

This Juniperus chinensis (Shimpaku?) looks more Japanese than Penjing, though there are shades of Penjing for sure, especially in the choice of the pot. Taiwan has become somewhat famous for field grown junipers from their inland mountains, though this one seems old to be field grown. But then, we've been fooled before

A traditional Penjing. These type scenes with a mountain (or mountains) and water - well, the idea of water with the boat just in case it's not obvious - are common in Chinese Penjing

This one looks a lot like a Japanese white pine. I'd say it's clearly Penjing, though perhaps influenced by Japanese bonsai. I don't really want to beat this cultural cross pollination idea to death, but still...

The fruit looks like Pomegranates that have been attached. A common practice in some places 

Rugged! And clearly Penjing 

Here's you link to our source for these amazing trees and plantings 

Shohin Juniper by Haruyosi. I believe this and the others show here are Itoigawa junipers (Juniperus chinensis var Itoigawa), but don't quote me. They could be Shimpaku (Juniperus chinensis var Shimpaku), a very close cousin. So close, that Itoigawa are sometimes referred to as Itoigawa Shimpaku 

Want to be inspired to try your hand at Shohin bonsai (small bonsai)? You could do lot worse than taking a close look at Haruyosi's trees for starters

Haruyosi has long been a favorite here on bark. both for his trees and his pottery. In fact, I believe that he might make all of his own pots

The shot above is a piece of this little gem

 Here's a link for more of Haruyosi little masterpieces

2020 Bonsai Calendar Cover Page

Our 2020 Japanese Bonsai Calendars have arrived
Enjoy 24 powerful bonsai while you check the date on your beautiful new 2020 calendar. Next year you can cut off the dates and enjoy attractive wall hangings in your office, workshop, man-cave, kitchen, wherever you want

30" x 14" - 13 pages including cover page. Made in Japan

Don't wait too long to order yours 
We only brought in 150 this time. When these are gone, that's it
 

November

June

June, cropped for a closer look 

Order yours now

There and Back Again with a Cryptomeria- from Michael Hagedorn's Crataegus Bonsai blog 

The first annual Bonsai Bark prize for brilliance in writing as it pertains to bonsai, goes to…. Michael Hagedorn! 

If that were it, just writing about bonsai (albeit very skillfully), well good on ya Michael. But it doesn’t end there. Michael has something important to say about bonsai. Or more accurately, Michael has plenty of importance to say about bonsai. With depth, range and humor. A rare combination as it turns out

Today’s post is inspired by three of Michael’s Crataegus Bonsai posts. The rest is up to you...

On the lighter side... a three part series on the treachery of bonsai apprentices. The Dark Paths of Apprentices (in three parts)

‘Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly’—Mae West’s aphorism relates not only to Bonsai Heresy... ~New Book ‘Bonsai Heresy’ Nearing Completion~

At least you know Michael is talking about a book with this photo

Toyo Nishiki Flowering Quince by Bill Valavanis. We've shown this photo before, but it has been a long time and it's always worth another look

Have you ever wanted to take a Japanese bonsai tour with someone who really knows the ropes? Ropes that many Japanese don't know? If so, then Bill Valavanis and Kora Dalager' tour is for you. Bill is a world bonsai leader and has made over 50 trips to Japan and Kora is an experienced travel agent and bonsai teacher.  You simply won't do any better. Here's your link to sign up. You can thank me later... ...

The Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo is coming! And just incase you're wondering; yes, Bill Valavanis is involved in this one too. Along with some talented friends...

This is the 7th year for this nationally recognized show. It is held in what is likely the most elegant location for a bonsai show - a 4 story marble lined atrium. Many say this is their favorite show of the year, where trees are exhibited in their winter best form.  Exhibitors and vendors come from all over the country.  Demos by world-class bonsai artists William Valavanis, Owen Reich, Tyler Sherrod and Rodney Clemons.  Bonsai auction Saturday evening.  Banquet dinner by reservation Saturday evening. Sign up now

 Correction about our
TCS Bonsai & All-Purpose Scissors

If you read yesterday's newsletter, you know that the factory is not producing any more of our famous TCS Scissors this year and we don't yet know what the status is for next year

At the moment we wrote that, we were completely out and were not expecting any more. However, much to our surprise, right after we mailed the newsletter, we received four more boxes of these affordable little all-purpose gems. So we're not out yet. But I wouldn't wait. If you want any, they'll be gone soon enough. Here's your link

Speaking of our newsletter, you can sign up below 

Before and after of a European black pine by Walter Pall. It was originally collected in Austria by Robert Barth (Walter's specs are below)

Walter Pall again. And why not? Walter is amazingly prolific, the quality of his material is consistently high and the results of his considerable skills continue to impress, even after the 10,000th* tree

*I hope you know 10,000 is an exaggeration. But still, if you've been following Walter for as long as some of us, you get the idea

After. Slab by Jan Culek 

Before. We don't have any pics from when it was dug, so we'll settle for this

In transition

Further along

Placing the tree on the slab

Finishing touches by the man himself  

After. Close up for a better look at the details

For more before and after bonsai by Walter you can visit his Bonsai Adventures blog 

If you'd like more on this tree and a whole range of bonsai topics, you can sign up for our newsletter below or at stonelantern.com