2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

[Adair M]

Vance, the costs of a decent, older imported Japanese pot is now sometime less (sometimes by as much as $100 or more) than those produced by domestic potters. For large pots, this seems especially true. I know I could not get a 24"x 12" custom or already-made pot from Ron Lang, Bryan Albright, Sara Rayner or others for what I paid for the Japanese pot.

An 18 " rectangle from Sara costs about $450, according to her web site. I am on the market for a REALLY big new pot ("30 x 7" x 18" or so) for my oak. I've priced domestically-made, custom for it. Those pots come in at $1,500-$2,000. I can get a big Chinese pot for half or a third that. Haven't visited Matt's place in Maryland yet, but I'd like to see if he has anything that big --once pots imported from Japan get much over 20" or so, shipping costs can change dramatically from what I understand...

I am definitely going to keep buying pots from domestic and western potters, as I tend to prefer what they make. However, with the way things are in Japan economically, imports have become more practically competitive. There are simply more pots in Japan and that surplus is not being used. They're currently a commodity to the Japanese and are being sold off overseas.

At one time, the Japanese imported a lot of bonsai pots from China. Then, they developed their own pots using the Chinese pots as a template.

Now, as the Chinese economy has strengthened as the Japanese economy has stagnated, the Chinese are going to Japan and buying back many of those old Chinese pots.

So, what appears to be happening is antique Chinese pot prices remain high, but high quality antique Japanese pots (and semi-antique Japanese pots) are priced aggressively. The Chinese aren't buying the Japanese pots.

So, while the prices of antique Chinese pots remain high, it is possible to aquire excellent old Japanese pots at reasonable prices.

These old pots have a patina that can only be produced with decades of use. It's like bark on a tree. It takes time.

 

[Adair M]

That's interesting. Over the years I have not been particularly concerned about pots ---- until recently. I will look and I may buy I don't know for sure.

I was much the same way. Until I saw some of these old pots! Opened my eyes!

 

[Adair M]

My takeaway from that - I'll be sticking with smaller trees...

Oh, there's no escape there! Some shohin pots can get crazy expensive!!!

You're doomed!!! Lol!!!

 

[VAFisher]

Oh, there's no escape there! Some shohin pots can get crazy expensive!!!

You're doomed!!! Lol!!!

I can deal with the prices of the US potters on stuff up to around 12" or so - and I like to support their work.

 

[rockm]

My takeaway from that - I'll be sticking with smaller trees...

The MOST expensive pots on Matt's table are the smallest...Want a heart attack? look at the mame pots incised with crabs/frogs or faces. Don't drop the pot when you see the price...

 

[rockm]

I can deal with the prices of the US potters on stuff up to around 12" or so - and I like to support their work.

I've been supporting western bonsai pot makers for 25 years now. I just got a commissioned a pot from Ron Lang for a boxwood. A 14" bow-walled low rectangle. Really great pot. It was almost $200. I love his work, but I could have spent a lot less if I were looking for an imported pot for the tree.

Western bonsai potter's prices have risen, even for smaller stuff. It's a function of rising materials costs. The Japanese pots, because they were made from material 15-20 years ago, don't have that overhead. This is true even for medium sized and smaller Japanese pots.

If want to support local potters, terrific. However, if you ignore the Japanese stuff, you're probably missing a significant bargain on extremely good pots.

 

[f1pt4]

So who'se going to Rochester. I'm packing my wallet, my wife, and crossing the border!

 

[Adair M]

So who'se going to Rochester. I'm packing my wallet, my wife, and crossing the border!

Better yet, send your wife on a girls only weekend, and bring...

Yourself!

(More room in the car to bring trees home!). Lol!!!

 

[f1pt4]

Better yet, send your wife on a girls only weekend, and bring...

Yourself!

(More room in the car to bring trees home!). Lol!!!

Lol. No phytos at the show. Too risky to spend big bucks just to have them stopped at the border.

Just going to see some amazing trees. Maybe get some soil I can't get here. A pot or two. Catch a demo or three.

 

[coh]

I'm looking forward to the critiques, especially the one by Boon...gonna have to ask him what's up with that Adair guy!

 

[Paradox]

I look forward to meeting some of you BNutters. We should try to figure out a way to ID Each other or, if possible set up a get together. Breakfast one morning or dinner Friday night or something

 

[Adair M]

I'm looking forward to the critiques, especially the one by Boon...gonna have to ask him what's up with that Adair guy!

Boon will laugh and say "I dunna know!"

 

[Lynn E]

Well, I'm going { if I can figure out how to put gas in my car }.

 

[Vance Wood]

Well, I'm going { if I can figure out how to put gas in my car }.

A tank or two should get you there and back. I am really looking forward to meeting a lot of Bnutters.

 

[barrosinc]

Well, I'm going { if I can figure out how to put gas in my car }.

Not like this.

 

[twisted trees]

Well, I'm going { if I can figure out how to put gas in my car }.

There's a hole in the side..put the gas in there.

 

[Adair M]

There's a hole in the side..put the gas in there.

What if you don't have a hole in the side?

 

[Dav4]

What if you don't have a hole in the side?

Refried beans??

 

[quietobserver]

What if you don't have a hole in the side?

Plug in often and hope the "autopilot" doesn't hit anything.

 

[twisted trees]

What if you don't have a hole in the side?

Then it must be an electric car. Run an extension cord.