Japanese bonsai, 2021

[Djtommy]

Thanks for taking and posting these photos. I have not been to a Kokufu show, but it looks like the display spaces were smaller in size?
The evergreens appear to be on a trend to show fuller and a bit more natural, and the accents seem to have grown in size?
The 3-point chuchin displays have some very nice trees as well.

The display spaces itself were pretty much same as usual I think, not a big noticeable differenc, they often feel a bit cramped. To be honest, purely from a display quality perspective kokufu is not top level at all, always a crappy background., the lighting is so so to. Interesting what you say about the accents, something that caught my eye was the type of accents used, like some years there is a lot of the black grass kind of thing, this year I don’t think there was any.
I think the quality of trees was pretty good this year.
if I go again for the second part, I’ll try to take some better pictures

 

[Djtommy]

Thanks for posting these. Amazing inspiration, but I just can’t get overly excited by the, and I’m going to say it, green helmet style conifers, particularly the pines. While I’m sure that they are much more expressive in person and are top of the pops in terms of quality, they just seem too flat and non emotive. I think number 2 is my favourite with special mentions for numbers 40 and 54.

Yeah, I can understand you say that,it is offcourse true they look better in reality but many are still quite rounded. like Brian pointed out though. It’s actually a bit better this year.
they are getting a bit more natural look, full yes but less stiff and more natural flow.
while looking at them in reality though, you see much more then just the overal shape and you can appreciate them much more. you can feel the detail, the age, you Just need to see it for yourself. Thats why going to shows is a good way to improve on bonsai i think. looking at pictures is good but never the same

 

[Colorado]

Yeah, I can understand you say that,it is offcourse true they look better in reality but many are still quite rounded. like Brian pointed out though. It’s actually a bit better this year.
they are getting a bit more natural look, full yes but less stiff and more natural flow.
while looking at them in reality though, you see much more then just the overal shape and you can appreciate them much more. you can feel the detail, the age, you Just need to see it for yourself. Thats why going to shows is a good way to improve on bonsai i think. looking at pictures is good but never the same

Completely agree - I have never been to Kokofu but the first time I went to a Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society show I was blown away!

Thanks for sharing.

I have a great appreciation for the “full” style. It is very beautiful, especially in contrast to the ancient, rugged trunks. I like the more natural look too. I like it all!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Like the others stated...thank you for sharing your time in posting these images up for us to view. Stately they stand. A few really stood out. The second image how naturalistic it appeared. Surprised me for there. But in a pleasant way. Loved the neagair...a given. But the double apex. Fascinated me.

 

[AlainK]

Great trees, thanks for sharing.

 

[BobbyLane]

Nice trees, this is probably my favourite. is that grey cut paste on it or just shadow?

 

[Djtommy]

Nice trees, this is probably my favourite. is that grey cut paste on it or just shadow?

It’s just shadow, I don’t think there were any scars that wasn’t healed over on this tree

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@Djtommy - Thank you very, very much for posting these photos. I think you posted over 100 images. That is a lot of work. Thank you. I always learn something from studying the photos of Kofuku-ten and Taikan-ten every year. Beautiful, thank you.

@Woocash - You know I've been seeing and hearing the occasional complaints about the "green helmets" of Japan for many years. You are not the only one. I'm going to bust your chops a bit, but don't take it personal, my target is the many that repeat your complaint. I'm not picking on you specifically.

Almost without exception, the ones who complain about the "green helmets" of Japanese bonsai, simply do not have the skill, or at least have never demonstrated the skill necessary to possibly create that level of bonsai themselves. The skill that goes into those "green helmets" at major shows like Kofuku-ten is incredible. If you are serious take a close look at those trees, you will see incredible skill in detailing. Way beyond the skill level most USA and UK based artists display. The handful of artists in USA and UK that do have the skill to create those "green helmets", never complain about them. Reason is respect. Those "green helmets" take incredible work. And even if you are not fond of the silhouette, when you look at the fine detail, you can't help but be in awe of the skill that went into the tree. When you can, take a serious, detailed close look at a Kofuku-ten or Taikan-ten level "green helmet" and seriously contemplate the detail work that went into creating that silhouette. And in doing so, you will notice, they often are not as rounded or uniform as they looked at first glance. They have a lot of detail in them.

I know I don't have the skill to pull off a "green helmet" nor a "formal upright", but I appreciate the skill those styles take, and will never "dog 'em" just because the outline isn't my favorite.

 

[Don Blackmond]

 

[Djtommy]

View attachment 353829

I think moving this tree around must be art in itself( or perhaps a comedy) It really looks so fragile.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Thanks for posting these. Amazing inspiration, but I just can’t get overly excited by the, and I’m going to say it, green helmet style conifers, particularly the pines. While I’m sure that they are much more expressive in person and are top of the pops in terms of quality, they just seem too flat and non emotive. I think number 2 is my favourite with special mentions for numbers 40 and 54.

Boo Hiss. You're just not used to seeing perfect. I don't like some of them, but they represent "as good as they get" anywhere in the world.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Thank you for sharing!!

 

[AlainK]

Almost without exception, the ones who complain about the "green helmets" of Japanese bonsai, simply do not have the skill, or at least have never demonstrated the skill necessary to possibly create that level of bonsai themselves.

Yes, I confess I've realized that myself.

Lots of beautiful deciduous, though I'm not so keen about those with a very wide nebari, but that's a matter of personal taste - and see above about "helmets".

One of my favorite :

 

[BobbyLane]

It’s just shadow, I don’t think there were any scars that wasn’t healed over on this tree

are trees with scars on the back allowed in these comps? or do people who enter these comps only enter scar less trees? do you get guests literally looking around to the back to check for scars, do the judges do this before making their decisions?

 

[Woocash]

Yeah, I can understand you say that,it is offcourse true they look better in reality but many are still quite rounded. like Brian pointed out though. It’s actually a bit better this year.
they are getting a bit more natural look, full yes but less stiff and more natural flow.
while looking at them in reality though, you see much more then just the overal shape and you can appreciate them much more. you can feel the detail, the age, you Just need to see it for yourself. Thats why going to shows is a good way to improve on bonsai i think. looking at pictures is good but never the same

Interesting, is the a slight deviation away from that look in Japan then? I will definitely get to more shows to bonsai in all their forms more closely and maybe I’ll gain a better perspective. I only went to my first one last February and then this pandemic hit, so... I’m surprised it’s even on in Japan, but obviously are better over there than over here.

 

[Woocash]

@Djtommy - Thank you very, very much for posting these photos. I think you posted over 100 images. That is a lot of work. Thank you. I always learn something from studying the photos of Kofuku-ten and Taikan-ten every year. Beautiful, thank you.

@Woocash - You know I've been seeing and hearing the occasional complaints about the "green helmets" of Japan for many years. You are not the only one. I'm going to bust your chops a bit, but don't take it personal, my target is the many that repeat your complaint. I'm not picking on you specifically.

Almost without exception, the ones who complain about the "green helmets" of Japanese bonsai, simply do not have the skill, or at least have never demonstrated the skill necessary to possibly create that level of bonsai themselves. The skill that goes into those "green helmets" at major shows like Kofuku-ten is incredible. If you are serious take a close look at those trees, you will see incredible skill in detailing. Way beyond the skill level most USA and UK based artists display. The handful of artists in USA and UK that do have the skill to create those "green helmets", never complain about them. Reason is respect. Those "green helmets" take incredible work. And even if you are not fond of the silhouette, when you look at the fine detail, you can't help but be in awe of the skill that went into the tree. When you can, take a serious, detailed close look at a Kofuku-ten or Taikan-ten level "green helmet" and seriously contemplate the detail work that went into creating that silhouette. And in doing so, you will notice, they often are not as rounded or uniform as they looked at first glance. They have a lot of detail in them.

I know I don't have the skill to pull off a "green helmet" nor a "formal upright", but I appreciate the skill those styles take, and will never "dog 'em" just because the outline isn't my favorite.

Aye, no that’s fair enough. I can’t imagine just how many hours of work each one has taken, or the sheer amount of knowledge and skill needed to create one. Also, I know a 2D image will never do any of these trees justice, nor convey scale, depth or imposition, but I just can’t get excited about the image. We know the all the “rules”, but Gord knows what the branch structure is like on them, and I bet taper has gone awry on plenty. It just seems that at a point artistry goes out of the window and a display of craftsmanship becomes the focus. It’s not for me to say whether that should be held as the pinnacle, but if bonsai is to be classed as an art form then the best should surely convey emotion and not just respect. Your average art lover would not likely get excited by them, nor fawn over the technique, so have the creators lost sight of what an art form is or am I missing something? Just my 2p.

 

[Woocash]

Boo Hiss. You're just not used to seeing perfect. I don't like some of them, but they represent "as good as they get" anywhere in the world.

Perfect what though? I see perfection every day in the trees around where I live, but I’ve never seen anything like these anywhere, except perhaps on a topiary hedge (I know, I know, apples and oranges).

 

[chicago1980]

This is spectacular

 

[Djtommy]

are trees with scars on the back allowed in these comps? or do people who enter these comps only enter scar less trees? do you get guests literally looking around to the back to check for scars, do the judges do this before making their decisions?

I haven’t seen one, if they would be entered they will likely not pass the initial judging.
Unless it’s created as a feature but then again it will depend on the kind of tree, maples, beeches, probably most deciduous with scarless trunks are more highly regarded then others. That’s not to say it’s not possible but it would need to be something that makes the tree special and, no just some carved away inverse taper or so.
If your talking ume, then deadwood is a must
How deep guests are looking at different angles and up in the tree depends on the. Person.

 

[BobbyLane]

I haven’t seen one, if they would be entered they will likely not pass the initial judging.
Unless it’s created as a feature but then again it will depend on the kind of tree, maples, beeches, probably most deciduous with scarless trunks are more highly regarded then others. That’s not to say it’s not possible but it would need to be something that makes the tree special and, no just some carved away inverse taper or so.
If your talking ume, then deadwood is a must
How deep guests are looking at different angles and up in the tree depends on the. Person.

Thanks! ive not been to a top show, so i was just curious about some of the criteria involved. i think some of the trees, especially the one i favourited is very achievable with the right material maybe thats why i really like that one as something i could relate to. obviously the fact that its blemish less means it would require more time to achieve. wound healing if that is your forte can be sped up in the ground.