Mirai tree sale

[Sansokuu]

That's what makes them interesting. Jabba the hut bonsai... I really heard this one whispering to me

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Was the whispering sweet nothings or heavy Jabba breathing..

 

[Sansokuu]

Somehow I didn’t connect with any of the trees for sale Am a big fan of Mirai especially as a learning platform and I have enjoyed past sales .

But somehow this sale - trees seemed not of the same high quality that Mirai is associated with and prices seem quite high for the quality offered . I understand that many or almost all of the pots were of highest quality possible but what good does a pot do if the tree housed in it doesn’t have the same potential . I don’t mind the price of 5 figures if it can be justified with the quality of tree . But somehow none seemed to be worthy of the asking price if you just remove the pot

But again , what do I know as am just a stupid novice …

There are no stupid novices, everyone starts somewhere. That said Bonsai Auctions on facebook has some quite nice and very affordable trees this week! And your thought process is right, there really isn’t a point in putting trees in nice pots that aren’t ready or a good fit (size and style wise), but understandably some people just want something nice to look at.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

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Gosh, you left off the Hardhat, Saftey googles, mask, heavy duty gloves and steel toed boots!

best
DSD sends

 

[SgtPilko]

A civil yet spirited thread, with everyone from suppliers to customers lots of eye candy too... well done all round I say!

 

[leatherback]

You posted the shittiest photo of a tree you know absolutely nothing about and asked a snide rhetorical question. So, I got to be up there on that high horse to look you in the eye on yours.

I posted A picture of the tree, one which the team at Mirai would help sell the tree.
If I assess a tree for purchase I turn it around and inspect it at all sides. In my garden I see my trees not just from the perfect front. So yeah, if I am to shell out those sort of prices, I care about the tree from all sides.

If you feel my question was rethorical, it was actually a correct question to ask. You would Not loko at the tree twice from that perspective if the name mirai was not connected. And there was nothing snide about it. It was an open question, whether someone would or would not.

If you flip through the rest of the comments you see a number of people making the same statement, without you feeling the need to get all in-their-face and personal about it.

 

[rockm]

I’ve always been vocal about my support of Mirai, Ryan, and also every North American Bonsai artist or organization that I’ve had the fortune to work with. So admittedly, I am biased towards my opinion of them(so take my opinion for what it’s worth).

In regards to the trees in this year’s annual sale, the selection feels a lot like other tree sales I’ve seen; some good values, some well executed trees and some misses (on the value or aesthetic mark). I do believe that the target to have a higher number of trees in the annual sale might have affected the execution. However, I was surprised to find some RMJs that were excellent value specimens(one for 4k-ish, another for 3k-ish and another at 6k-ish). As just the inherent value of the tree itself, I believe they were really well priced. And then there were some that I could not justify(price wise), even with the intangible value aspect of it.
The very large cascading RMJ is one that I’ve seen in person and spent some time with. It’s an amazing specimen but I ended up picking up two other trees. I had my eye on Redwood no. 2 but alas wasn’t fast enough to purchase. Ended up with Redwood no.1 and the multi apex RMJ.


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I think you got a better tree with the redwood you wound up with The other was a bit too confusing. I understand what they were going for in its design, but I think it doesn't really make it there.

 

[snowman04]

I’ve always been vocal about my support of Mirai, Ryan, and also every North American Bonsai artist or organization that I’ve had the fortune to work with. So admittedly, I am biased towards my opinion of them(so take my opinion for what it’s worth).

In regards to the trees in this year’s annual sale, the selection feels a lot like other tree sales I’ve seen; some good values, some well executed trees and some misses (on the value or aesthetic mark). I do believe that the target to have a higher number of trees in the annual sale might have affected the execution. However, I was surprised to find some RMJs that were excellent value specimens(one for 4k-ish, another for 3k-ish and another at 6k-ish). As just the inherent value of the tree itself, I believe they were really well priced. And then there were some that I could not justify(price wise), even with the intangible value aspect of it.
The very large cascading RMJ is one that I’ve seen in person and spent some time with. It’s an amazing specimen but I ended up picking up two other trees. I had my eye on Redwood no. 2 but alas wasn’t fast enough to purchase. Ended up with Redwood no.1 and the multi apex RMJ.


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i would be happy to "settle" for this one...

 

[snowman04]

Was the whispering sweet nothings or heavy Jabba breathing..

It was saying something like, "you know you want me"

 

[Maiden69]

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This pot is pretty sweet.

Yes it is, I saw it Tuesday on the stream and thought the

And I am so happy to see a bunch of Bnutters feel the same way as me. I have been struggling hardcore lately being ‘just a mom’ ‘so and so’s wife’. Loss of identity is a real thing women deal with, can’t have a career or individual identity and be a mom at the same time. Just, if I ever get in a fatal accident or something, I want the news article to say Painter of cute chickens and quail dies in blahblah fashion not Mother from Hillsboro or whatever.

Ryan did miss the point by not mentioning your name on the listing, or on the video but he went to say that you are

"making the most incredible painted pots, that I have ever seen in North America, better than anything I have ever seen in Europe and absolutely on par and equivalent to the highest level of painted pots in Japan".

A few people in the chat did brought up your name and the name of your business.

A few screenshots of the pot as Ryan was talking about it.

 

[Cajunrider]

It was saying something like, "you know you want me"

I am still looking for "My precious!"

 

[IzzyG]

I think you got a better tree with the redwood you wound up with The other was a bit too confusing. I understand what they were going for in its design, but I think it doesn't really make it there.

Both redwood definitely has some years of development still. I felt like no.1’s foliage was a tad more coarser and larger in size for the proportions of the tree, but that can hopefully be remedied as it progresses!

I was definitely more drawn to the sheer size of no.2 as it reminded it of Mirai’s redwood forest composition. There was also an ideal spot in the garden that I had in mine. Buuuuut, I’m not gonna cry over any of the trees

 

[Cajunrider]

I think we sold Ryan this pot in person for $175. That one is especially special because Nao hand built a unique shape and glazed it kutani style which he hasn’t done lately or ever will again, and I added the quail.

And I am so happy to see a bunch of Bnutters feel the same way as me. I have been struggling hardcore lately being ‘just a mom’ ‘so and so’s wife’. Loss of identity is a real thing women deal with, can’t have a career or individual identity and be a mom at the same time. Just, if I ever get in a fatal accident or something, I want the news article to say Painter of cute chickens and quail dies in blahblah fashion not Mother from Hillsboro or whatever.

I only about you through the few samples of your beautiful artistic work so "Painter of cute chickens and quail dies in blahblah fashion" is just fine with me.

I most definitely will seek to own some of your work in the future.

 

[rockm]

I think we sold Ryan this pot in person for $175. That one is especially special because Nao hand built a unique shape and glazed it kutani style which he hasn’t done lately or ever will again, and I added the quail.

And I am so happy to see a bunch of Bnutters feel the same way as me. I have been struggling hardcore lately being ‘just a mom’ ‘so and so’s wife’. Loss of identity is a real thing women deal with, can’t have a career or individual identity and be a mom at the same time. Just, if I ever get in a fatal accident or something, I want the news article to say Painter of cute chickens and quail dies in blahblah fashion not Mother from Hillsboro or whatever.

I saw the attribution as "the wife" and remembered Sharon Edwards-Russell struggled with the same issue. She has been Ron Lang's partner in life and business for decades (Ron retired a few years ago from making pots). Sharon made excellent pots same as Ron. I bought more than a few of her containers over the years.

Believe me, your work is appreciated and is outstanding. I say that as a decades-long collector of bonsai pots, particularly American bonsai containers. Wish I was able to get up to NY to get some of your work.

 

[rockm]

I posted A picture of the tree, one which the team at Mirai would help sell the tree.
If I assess a tree for purchase I turn it around and inspect it at all sides. In my garden I see my trees not just from the perfect front. So yeah, if I am to shell out those sort of prices, I care about the tree from all sides.

If you feel my question was rethorical, it was actually a correct question to ask. You would Not loko at the tree twice from that perspective if the name mirai was not connected. And there was nothing snide about it. It was an open question, whether someone would or would not.

If you flip through the rest of the comments you see a number of people making the same statement, without you feeling the need to get all in-their-face and personal about it.

You are wrong about not looking at that boxwood without having Mirai's name with it. If I saw a Kingsville boxwood of that size and unmistakable quality on ebay with no attribution, I would definitely pay attention. Extremely few examples of this cultivar in such large size are ever seen for sale. If you understand what you're looking at, the value of the tree in question becomes pretty apparent.

Your question was "rhetorical" but in a pretty leading way, suggesting that it is not worth the asking price. You then assert that if not for the name, the tree isn't worth it. If it's not snide, then it's disingenuous.

 

[Dabnphish]

A lot of variables to consider.. that large redwood is 122lbs.. does the person who snapped the large one in a second even realize it’s that tall and heavy? They had to realize that in 5 seconds because it was gone instantly..the smaller one is 85lbs and less than half as tall but is incredible.. all the trees in very expensive pots.. those cheap maples are more than half the cost in just the pots.. rare species and sizes.. also name brand artist. Too much whining imo.. it’s art.. it’s not like an adult using a crayon and scribbling and charging 20k for it.. the prices were not wayyy out there esp with the pot artists and Ryan’s name.

Also in regards to the olives…I love Olive trees but I much prefer the ones at Wigerts .. I had a tough time choosing mine from there they are all soo gorgeous. It’s probably my favorite tree I own. I think people see a chunk and throw it in a pot and done.. a lot of crazy work you can do on them. Eric Wigert and I saw Mike Lane do some work on a vid on the one I just scooped about a month ago. It’s blowing up on my deck and needs to be cleaned up this week with a lot of lower new growth needing to be removed. The tree is absolutely phenomenal and imo worth double or more what I paid. To me this shows what hype can do because it is much nicer than the olives at mirai but those olives allow for more future work on the trunk.. whereas I paid for more work, better styling and it is still in a very nice ron lang pot.

For the sale I was ready when the clock ticked and everything I had in my cart in the first couple minutes sold.. I changed my mind right away and went back within 10 seconds and the first tree and second were gone.. went back for the other two trees and gone.. it’s tough to make a life choice on a tree you would cherish in a few minutes/seconds. The process flat out sucks. I’d pay for a vip spot just to preview the trees. By the time I got 10-15 trees down the list the ones I wanted were all gone.

Congrats to the owners of the new trees!! Some real nice gems were scooped up!!!

 

[Cajunrider]

A lot of variables to consider.. that large redwood is 122lbs.. does the person who snapped the large one in a second even realize it’s that tall and heavy? They had to realize that in 5 seconds because it was gone instantly..the smaller one is 85lbs and less than half as tall but is incredible.. all the trees in very expensive pots.. those cheap maples are more than half the cost in just the pots.. rare species and sizes.. also name brand artist. Too much whining imo.. it’s art.. it’s not like an adult using a crayon and scribbling and charging 20k for it.. the prices were not wayyy out there esp with the pot artists and Ryan’s name.

Also in regards to the olives…I love Olive trees but I much prefer the ones at Wigerts .. I had a tough time choosing mine from there they are all soo gorgeous. It’s probably my favorite tree I own. I think people see a chunk and throw it in a pot and done.. a lot of crazy work you can do on them. Eric Wigert and I saw Mike Lane do some work on a vid on the one I just scooped about a month ago. It’s blowing up on my deck and needs to be cleaned up this week with a lot of lower new growth needing to be removed. The tree is absolutely phenomenal and imo worth double or more what I paid. To me this shows what hype can do because it is much nicer than the olives at mirai but those olives allow for more future work on the trunk.. whereas I paid for more work, better styling and it is still in a very nice ron lang pot.

For the sale I was ready when the clock ticked and everything I had in my cart in the first couple minutes sold.. I changed my mind right away and went back within 10 seconds and the first tree and second were gone.. went back for the other two trees and gone.. it’s tough to make a life choice on a tree you would cherish in a few minutes/seconds. The process flat out sucks. I’d pay for a vip spot just to preview the trees. By the time I got 10-15 trees down the list the ones I wanted were all gone.

Congrats to the owners of the new trees!! Some real nice gems were scooped up!!!

Any discussion about the price being too high rendered moot by market supply and demand.

 

[Scorpius]

It's art. It's subjective and so is the price for art. Arguing either way is a moot point.

 

[Wood]

Okay I'm a little surprised at this sage. It has all of three, maybe four, branches? It's six inches high and eight inches wide, but it's "mame-sized"? It doesn't really seem to be styled to me, but it's $850...

Sage

While Mame-sized trees aren't common in Mirai's bonsai collection, this petite sage was too irresistible to overlook due to its undeniable quality. Nestled within a fantastic Jonathan Cross ceramic, which beautifully merges the desert aesthetic with the essence of sagebrush, this composition's...

goods.bonsaimirai.com

 

[Dabnphish]

Any discussion about the price being too high rendered moot by market supply and demand.

I agree I think there are many things to consider. having an opinion is one thing but the straight bashing is hilarious and shows the arrogance wayyyyy too many have in the art scene in general let alone Bonsai. If it ticks your boxes and lights your eyes up why even care what others think. When you want further knowledge to make a decision now or in the future ok get some input, do your homework…but if the tree speaks to you don’t listen to anyone else. Cherish it. I have glass pieces I have bought for 5-13k that are today worth 60-100k and people thought I was crazy to spend the 5-13k when I did. Art is wild!!

 

[Dabnphish]

Okay I'm a little surprised at this sage. It has all of three, maybe four, branches? It's six inches high and eight inches wide, but it's "mame-sized"? It doesn't really seem to be styled to me, but it's $850...

Sage

While Mame-sized trees aren't common in Mirai's bonsai collection, this petite sage was too irresistible to overlook due to its undeniable quality. Nestled within a fantastic Jonathan Cross ceramic, which beautifully merges the desert aesthetic with the essence of sagebrush, this composition's...

goods.bonsaimirai.com

Okay I'm a little surprised at this sage. It has all of three, maybe four, branches? It's six inches high and eight inches wide, but it's "mame-sized"? It doesn't really seem to be styled to me, but it's $850...

Sage

While Mame-sized trees aren't common in Mirai's bonsai collection, this petite sage was too irresistible to overlook due to its undeniable quality. Nestled within a fantastic Jonathan Cross ceramic, which beautifully merges the desert aesthetic with the essence of sagebrush, this composition's...

goods.bonsaimirai.com

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The pot alone could cost that based on Jonathan’s prices on his page.