Arakawa Japanese Maple

Ruddigger said:
Best in show. You were robbed.
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Thanks Ryan!

As someone who has judged a few shows in the past (as I am sure you have as well) it is often not an easy task. I am sure the judges had their reasons for their picks. I went with zero expectations and left the same way I came.
 
Brian Van Fleet said:
Rugged and graceful at the exact same time. Looking fantastic Serg.
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Thanks Bri! As you can imagine, it has become a real balancing act now trying to maintain all parts alive and equally balanced. The buds are all same size size top to bottom for the most part. But if I slip, there goes a branch or two! 😰
 
JudyB said:
You guys are up early LOL... (or late...) Everything just "fits" - that table that pot, the shapes.... Looks so nice, love that accent! Looking for spring.
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Not sure how popular Coltsfoot is here in the US. People seem to have a hard time keeping them alive? Will (@whfarro) collected it for me last year in early spring at one of the workshop sites I was at in NY. They make wonderful early spring plants since they bloom well before anything else is awake. They are ubiquitous in Japan showing up at pretty much every winter/early spring show.

In any case, it has done very well for me. During the growing period they look like a bad weed LOL!
 
The third trunk makes the tree for me. Otherwise I don't really like the two primary trunks, their angle at the union, the identical thickness, and the way they have disharmonious lines. I would question whether the tree would be better as two separate trees versus a twin trunk. Over time, if you continue to let the left trunk develop while constraining the right trunk, I think the tree would improve greatly. Tho... you and I discussed this at the show :)

tree-dev.jpg
 
Bonsai Nut said:
The third trunk makes the tree for me. Otherwise I don't really like the two primary trunks, their angle at the union, the identical thickness, and the way they have disharmonious lines. I would question whether the tree would be better as two separate trees versus a twin trunk. Over time, if you continue to let the left trunk develop while constraining the right trunk, I think the tree would improve greatly. Tho... you and I discussed this at the show :)

View attachment 588016
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Yes I think you're right. I should chop it half and make two trees! Let me get on that ASAP! 🤪
 
Bonsai Nut said:
The third trunk makes the tree for me. Otherwise I don't really like the two primary trunks, their angle at the union, the identical thickness, and the way they have disharmonious lines. I would question whether the tree would be better as two separate trees versus a twin trunk. Over time, if you continue to let the left trunk develop while constraining the right trunk, I think the tree would improve greatly. Tho... you and I discussed this at the show :)

View attachment 588016
Click to expand...
Ya reckon? I beg to differ on this one, I barely notice its there. My eyes are automatically drawn to the centre/middle of the tree and the low branch kinda pops up in the periphery. I think this tree would be just as magnificent without it:)

ps Also think the left trunk is noticeably thicker.
 
I have to say, Bonsai Nut, I do think there is value in discussing possibilities like this for those starting from a much earlier stage of development. But in this case I think attempting to pick out little things like that and make drastic changes would only result in drastically lowering the quality of this tree for the foreseeable future. This tree is in quite a high state of development, and an excellent bonsai. I'm fairly certain that it has reached a point now where even the Japanese masters would accept a few "flaws" and admire the tree for what it offers rather than worry about what is perceived to be lacking.
I see many Kokufu trees that I think could be better (in my opinion) if they had this or that done early on, but the fact is, they have been accepted into the greatest show in the world to be admired for the work that was done. Perhaps it's exactly those "flaws" that make them unique.
 
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