US National Bonsai Exhibition, Sept 8-9, 2018

[Deleted member 21616]

The White pine is in a Shuzan. Absolutely top quality. Kokofu-ten quality. The Itoigawa is in an antique Japanese pot that is a copy of an even antiquier Chinese pot. Lol. The small Olive is in an antique Chinese pot. The big Olive is in a contemporary Chinese pot. Of all of them, it’s the least expensive! Even though it is far larger (and large pots aren’t cheap!)

I am new to the world of pots, but I am starting to really get into it. I have a sincere question:

I have seen 'kokofu-ten quality pot' written a few times here and there, and I was wondering what it is that makes one pot 'kokofu-ten quality' as opposed to another. I am asking because somebody on facebook recently posted a video of kokofu-ten, and i grabbed a few screenshots of some trees or pots that I liked. I attached two example screenshots below. To me, these two pots look like they could easily be Yamafusa and Koyo.

Out of curiosity, can a tokoname pot be 'kokofu-ten quality'?

Also, how does the bonsai national exhibition compare to kokofu-ten with regard to 'pot standards' ? I unfortunately could not make it this year

Thank you!
D

 

[MACH5]

Congratulations and as always a huge thanks to Mr. William Valavanis. This was an awesome weekend filled with fantastic trees and camaraderie. This event is made special by not only the trees displayed but by the wonderful community of like-minded indivialus that congregate in this one space for an entire weekend. So much to see, talk about and learn from. Very special time indeed!

Also I want to congratulate all the winners as well as all participants. Amazing trees. You hard work paid off!

Here is an IPhone pic of my display and a better, higher quality photo of the tree I took in my studio right before the show.

 

[LanceMac10]

Congratulations to @Mark for taking home the "All American Bonsai" award with his two-trunk Larch.

And the other Bonsai Nuts that displayed this year....and the one that pulled out just prior to the event.

 

[Mike Hennigan]

Did anyone else fawn over that massive American Hornbeam forest as much as I did? Was nice seeing that species make it into the show!

 

[LanceMac10]

Oh, @yenling83 captured the ABS award!

 

[coh]

Did anyone else fawn over that massive American Hornbeam forest as much as I did? Was nice seeing that species make it into the show!

This one? One of my favorites in the show. Image from bonsaiempire.com

 

[Mike Hennigan]

This one? One of my favorites in the show. Image from bonsaiempire.com

View attachment 209354

No not that one... though love that too... it had to be like 30 trees, on a massive slate slab. It was on the back row, at the end of one of the aisles. Wish I could remember who the artist was...

 

[Mike Hennigan]

Probably more than 30 trees actually.

 

[cchpg29]

Great Show Mr. Valavanis. Now I have to sign up for your beginner class.

 

[markyscott]

Did anyone else fawn over that massive American Hornbeam forest as much as I did? Was nice seeing that species make it into the show!

There’s a nice story behind that forest - the owner collected all the trees as seedlings from his property in Northern Virginia.

S

 

[markyscott]

...Wish I could remember who the artist was...

Felix Laughlin

He‘s the NBF president.

 

[rockm]

Felix Laughlin is a bonsai legend in these parts. He has a rather large property outside of D.C. (he's a former senior counsel in a Washington law firm) From what I've heard from people who have been out there, it's pretty spectacular. I think the photo below was taken there.
https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/felix-laughlin-national-bonsai-foundation-president/

I've been itching to get up to the National show forever, but haven't been able to make the time. Envious of everyone who went.

 

[Lazylightningny]

Congratulations Bill on another successful National Exhibition. It gets better every time. Thank you for doing this - it’s was an honor for my tree to be involved.

Scott

I'd like to see a photo of your tree displayed

 

[Lazylightningny]

Amazing trees, all. Congrats to all our guys on being chosen to represent the American bonsai community.

 

[Adair M]

I am new to the world of pots, but I am starting to really get into it. I have a sincere question:

I have seen 'kokofu-ten quality pot' written a few times here and there, and I was wondering what it is that makes one pot 'kokofu-ten quality' as opposed to another. I am asking because somebody on facebook recently posted a video of kokofu-ten, and i grabbed a few screenshots of some trees or pots that I liked. I attached two example screenshots below. To me, these two pots look like they could easily be Yamafusa and Koyo.

Out of curiosity, can a tokoname pot be 'kokofu-ten quality'?

Also, how does the bonsai national exhibition compare to kokofu-ten with regard to 'pot standards' ? I unfortunately could not make it this year

Thank you!
D

At Kokofu, both the tree and the pot have to be accepted for an entry to be in the show. About a month before the actual show, the trees are transported to Toyko where the selection committee can determine its “worthiness”.

You can get rejected even with a fabulous tree if the pot is not up to snuff, and vice versa.

 

[Adair M]

Felix Laughlin is a bonsai legend in these parts. He has a rather large property outside of D.C. (he's a former senior counsel in a Washington law firm) From what I've heard from people who have been out there, it's pretty spectacular. I think the photo below was taken there.
https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/felix-laughlin-national-bonsai-foundation-president/

I've been itching to get up to the National show forever, but haven't been able to make the time. Envious of everyone who went.

I’ve been to Felix’s place in Asheville, NC. He has an absolutely fabulous garden, with a “potting shed” with sliding glass doors that can double as a winter storage area, or triple as a cocktail lounge! It’s absolutely incredible, with incredible trees!

 

[Deleted member 21616]

At Kokofu, both the tree and the pot have to be accepted for an entry to be in the show. About a month before the actual show, the trees are transported to Toyko where the selection committee can determine its “worthiness”.

You can get rejected even with a fabulous tree if the pot is not up to snuff, and vice versa.

Thanks for the reply, i appreciate the info!

 

[rockm]

I’ve been to Felix’s place in Asheville, NC. He has an absolutely fabulous garden, with a “potting shed” with sliding glass doors that can double as a winter storage area, or triple as a cocktail lounge! It’s absolutely incredible, with incredible trees!

Yeah, forgot he moved down that way.

 

[Deleted member 21616]

Been searching all morning for information on the Dennis Vojtilla's finest deciduous, but haven't been able to find very much. Would anybody be able to point me to some place where he may have tracked his development?

Maybe he didn't document it at all? Is he on this forum?

I'm curious about how he developed trunk line. Looks like a major chop (one that is to my eyes quite uncomfortable, needless to say). Would love to see progression pictures, or at least pictures of the wound.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/6th-usnational