I read Smokes blog but also read an article somewhere recently where there was a picture of them lined up like soldiers ready to invade from Japan. It even referenced these as a cookie cutter style bonsai. Showed them being made.
If you have only seen 2 you might want to look around for more. Just Google corkscrew juniper bonsai. You'll see a couple more. Plus pictures of the Sierra junipers they are copies of.
Granted they will probably not be as common as S trunk mallsai. $1350.00 is a little steep for average income people. But that price will come down as more show up. Like you said Eric. You have some cooking out back too.
Sorry if you think I made this up. I posted an honest opinion and observation.
No offense was intended Mr, Fray and I certainly didn't say you made it up! I have seen pics of plenty on the net (including Smoke's blog post)- my point was just I can't find real good ones in the places I have been to. It seems the few I have seen in person were very high priced. I about choked on my own tongue when I saw that guy in Cali was selling his for $60 a pop! In Japan, they seem to be the most popular style of Juniper you find... But most the juniper I find for sale as "pre bonsai" state side have pretty boring trunks shooting straight up out of the ground... 'Course, short of buying from people I know who do bonsai a round here, the only place I can buy Junipers is Home Depot or Lowes... Maybe the odd "snooty plant place" here or there... Certainly not twisted up little prebonsai material!
That is why I am so into propagation I think! If I can just find the species that are suitable for Bonsai... Even if the parent plant is not a great specimen, I feel within a few years I can make own little army of trees! Working pretty well so far (too well if you ask my wife I am sure). Probably struck about 15-20 Shimpaku cuttings this year... A hand full of Tridents, JM, a couple varieties of Elms, Pyracanthia, Azaleas, Crepe Myrtle, Japanese Quince... Can't seem to keep JBP cuttings alive though I did get a few to root temporarily. I got curious and disturbed the roots too early I think!
So, what you call cookie cutter, I can barely even FIND! I know Columbia SC is not some Bonsai mecha, just telling you why I was disagreeing with you!
The one posted in this thread- in my opinion- has a very good looking trunk for this style, great twists without the ugly swelling you get so frequently when people make these! Deff not- again, to my eye- "cookie cutter".. You are certainly entitled to your opinion though!
Personally I am a much bigger fan of deciduous trees normally anyway, so it could be that I just haven't paid much attention to Junipers like this until recently. I admitted in another thread today that my taste for Bonsai is a bit antiquated and certainly not hip to the current "styles", so maybe it is I that am behind the times! I guess it could be that you are just one of the cool kids and I am still into something that is "so last year"!! LOL