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Zeitgeist of bonsai
Tony discusses who or what is driving the bonsai zeitgeist in the West. Who or what is making a real difference to the Western world of bonsai? I am privileged to have witnessed many of the top artists in action and I have visited major exhibitions around the world. The…...
Is this too right?
The challenge is to create a finished tree starting from scratch Here’s how to make bonsai with rare, interesting and promising species through the process of taking cuttings. The complete process, from selecting the material to maintenance after taking the cutting, is clearly explained. This time we work with Cryptomeria…...
Why does he want to break free
Massimo Bandera wants to work unhindered by convention For Massimo Bandera bonsai is very much an art form. The bonsai artist should be free from conventions and rules. In the process of creating an extraordinary olive (Olea europaea sylvestris), Massimo found much inspiration in the Japanese aesthetics and Zen philosophy,…...
A different way
The bonsai passion of Torben Brenfeldt His first encounter with bonsai was not very positive, but Torben Brenfeldt was determined to master the art — in particular the art of shohin. What was your professional education? I was trained as a carpenter. Can you tell us how you got into…...
Why you should visit the Montréal Botanical
A new addition to the Montréal Bonsai Collection – Ryan’s tree in Montréal The Montréal Botanical Garden is recognized as one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens. As well as a variety of gardens it also has a growing bonsai collection and a Japanese garden, too. Eric Auger is the…...
The shohin geisha’s
The meaning and thought behind the display of shohin, or Seki-kazari Morten Albek takes time to go through some of the shohin displays from the World Bonsai Convention in Japan, held in spring of 2017. He’s not here to judge them, but to add some words on how to display…...
Can Kimura dance with a shari?
Masahiko Kimura rearranges the foliage around a dancing shari Exploring the artistic sensitivity of Mr Kimura, we take a look at the material he will work on. The transformation is not tremendously dramatic, however the work is of the highest quality in order to accentuate the best characteristics of the…...
Is he burning pots??
Peter Krebs, Grand Master of the bonsai pot In the early stages of bonsai in Europe, the pots of Peter Krebs were already in high demand. Throughout his long career as a potter he has developed and refined his remarkable style. What made you decided to become a bonsai potter?…...
A wooden base?
A practical case study of trident maple by Andrea Meriggioli Andrea: I want to show you how correct timing and techniques may turn initially poor material into a good tree you can work on over a long period of time. In practice, when you have a real plant in front…...
Intimidated by its age
François Jeker styles a venerable 500-year-old Buxus ‘When about to style an impressive old Buxus like this, you are so intimidated that you approach it with trembling hands . . . Over the years, though, I have developed three assets in the bonsai field: imagination for the future design of…...
How to ‘crack’ a white pine
Masayuki Fujikawa transforms a white pine by changing the angle and compacting an elongated trunk. One of the best characteristics of this tree is the aged appearance of the bark, making it look as though it was just collected from the mountains. Additionally, the leaf characteristics and the power in…...
The Southern
Serge Clémence sketches options for the oak of Kai Kempf The oak (Quercus pubescens) or downy oak, shown here is a fine tree and very interesting, native to southern Europe and Southwest Asia. Downy oaks typically grow in dry, lime-rich soil. It’s a sub-Mediterranean species that grows from coastline to…...
The monk’s stone
Masterpiece stones from Japan As with many things the Chinese scholar rocks influenced the development of the Korean and Japanese stone appreciation. Buddism played a major role in Its over 500 years of well documented history. There are a number of masterpiece stones which are still appreciated today. A bonseki…...