Report
Survivor
Bonsai or trees marked by time and climate tell a story, says Lydie Carpentier.
19 October 2023
Menu
Menu
rigida
Gallery
Burst into life – The beauty of fresh leaves and flowers in spring
Here is an impression of the annual spring Shunga-ten, held in Osaka, Japan …
12 January 2023
Shohin
Prickly situation
Jean-Philippe Hoareau (JP) works with the prickly juniper The needle juniper or Juniperus rigida, is a far more rugged tree than the Chinese ‘shimpaku’. Its deadwood is spikier and so is its foliage, too. You can get in a very prickly situation when working with this variety because of its…...
19 November 2021
Summer
Growth never stops
Maintenance work on a mountain cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) During summer you need to deal with the dead leaves formed inside the branches of this very dense-growing conifer. They are removed to prevent ‘stuffiness’. This is a mandatory task every year at this time.The appearance of the tree that Ayaka Yamamoto…...
16 September 2021
Technique
Kengai
How to make a cascade-style bonsai A kengai or cascade is inspired by trees found in harsh mountainous conditions, growing on rocky cliffs. It is this which makes it one of the most dramatic and exciting styles. We will explain how to create a convincing cascade using coniferous and deciduous…...
27 August 2021
Shohin
Show time
Spring is the time that many bonsai shows arrive on the scene. Here are some tips to get your trees prepared. With guidance of Hiroki Miura, Japanese popstar, Ayaka Yamamoto, learns how to prepare a shohin display step by step. Changing the pot for an exhibition Beniotome is one of…...
17 April 2020
Display
On the tatami
Bonsai exhibited in traditional Japanese rooms surrounded by mountains and forests puts bonsai in the right perspective. The 10th Genkoukai exhibition is a small-scale show that renders one humble and serene. The Genkoukai is a group of both bonsai and suisekienthusiasts who have a strong desire to study and appreciate…...
1 January 2020
Profile
Forced to find solutions
The only regret Manuel Germade has is the fact that he did not go to Japan much earlier. A couple of years ago he officially graduated as a bonsai Master and he now finds his way in the West exhibiting and sharing his knowledge. What was your professional education? I
19 August 2019
Profile
On being a deshi in Shunka-en
A professional gardener, German Valentin Brose’s love of bonsai drew him to Japan to learn more about this fascinating art. So he
decided to quit his job and went to work for famous Master, Kunio Kobayashi. He soon found out that life as a student is somewhat
different ...
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12 July 2017
