We have seen realistic miniature landscapes before, but this particular one really stands out. It consists of a traditional Vietnamese farmhouse, two small Bonsai trees and outer walls.
Its creator is still unknown to us, but most likely a local farmer from the Bắc Ninh area in Vietnam made it. Making the bricks, tiles, doors and window-frames must have been an incredible amount of work.
The buzz has been going around for a few weeks now. Ryan Neil and his team are working around the clock on creating an astonishing event, planned to take place late September. About time we investigated what’s going on!
Bonsai is an ancient art-form originating in China and Japan, dating back centuries, even millennia. Although Bonsai became incredibly popular in the West, it never reached the status as “fine art” like it does in countries like Japan.
We’re very interested to hear what Ryan Neil has to say about this, as he is currently working on creating an event that might change our perception of Bonsai, finally.
The "Satsuki Azalea festival" is held every year in late may, when the trees are in full bloom. Now I always loved Azaleas, but when they flower they are without doubt stunning.
The Vietnamese prove to be masters at creating miniature landscapes. Just two weeks ago we shared an article about a single landscape, this time we share an entire historic city center. Amazing work by a man named Nguyễn; he created a replica of the old city of Hue.
Azuma Makoto surprises us again with another great Bonsai display, this time inside an abandoned power plant. We talked to the artist about his latest work of art.
Emre Ozberk had a fascination for Bonsai trees. But at some point, he started to focus not on the tree, but on the empty space around it. The beginning of a great new hobby, creating miniature gardens around Bonsai trees.
The United Kingdom has always had its place on the European Bonsai stage. We all know artists including Craig Coussins, Peter Adams, Graham Potter, Dan Barton, etc. Also in the main European shows many trees from UK artists can be seen. But… There’s no large Bonsai event in the UK.
We talk with Tony Tickle about all this and ask him about the event he is organizing for October 2015.
"Truth is, this tree really needs no introduction, especially not from the likes of someone such as myself." - Danny Coffey.
Goshin is quite literally the most well-recognized bonsai in the United States, which would put it pretty high in the running for most recognized world-wide. Even among Japanese professionals at the highest level, ‘Goshin’ is a familiar bonsai.
The most famous and popular Bonsai destination in Japan is, without doubt, the Omiya Bonsai village. The village is actually a suburb of Tokyo, where five well known nurseries are located close to each other. Omiya Bonsai also became an important institution for Bonsai education in Japan. Despite its great success, we haven’t seen something similar appear in Europe or the USA. At least, not yet… An interview with Michael Hagedorn.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a woodblock print depicting a wave in front of Mount Fuji, by the Japanese artist Hokusai. This image is one of the most famous prints of Japan, and we were amazed by a Bonsai tree that looks remarkably similar.
Bonsai, Kusamono and Suiseki artists and lovers, came together from all over Europe to the "Old Salt" on Perner Island as part of the Festival of Bonsai, Kusamono (and Suiseki) organized by the Bonsai Club Salzburg. Titled, The International bonsai and Kusamono festes. Some wonderful and beautifully artistic Bonsai were in the exhibition.
The Pachira aquatica (Money tree) is a popular indoor plant, often with a braided trunk. It is a tropical plant of the Malvaceae family, native to Central America. It is an old token of good luck and fortune, related to the concept of Feng Shui.
Position: Place the Money tree indoor at a very bright spot; preferably at a window facing south. During summer you can place it outside in most temperate climates, again, at a sunny spot
A few weeks ago we did an interview with Ryan Neil on his experiences as apprentice in Japan, and how he uses his knowledge to progress the art of Bonsai in the West. Oscar did a second interview, this time focusing on what we can expect from the event he is organizing this September. And Ryan has a few surprises up his sleeve...
Every bonsai enthusiast knows the problem that there are times when he can't be at home and therefore can't water his bonsai trees himself. During the summer heat even long work days can be critical when the trees need to be watered frequently.
Now and then we want to travel for a weekend or longer and then we must make arrangements to insure proper care for our bonsai trees. Family members or neighbors are in most cases unable to cope with the trees' needs and
Stephen Voss is a photographer with an impressive portfolio (he did portraits with the likes of Alan Greenspan, Michelle Obama and Bill Gates). Somehow he decided to set time aside in his busy schedule to do a Bonsai book, an idea we of course applaud. We decided to find out what he is about to do, and did an interview with him.
It's been 4 months since we launched our "Bonsai Beginners Course" and we are proud of the great response from our students, as well as the reviews in magazines including Esprit Bonsai, Bonsai Art, Bonsai Focus, ABS and BCI. And ofcourse great blogs including Bonsai Tonight and OfBonsai. Thanks for supporting our effort!
We've been waiting for a long time for this. At last, the Portland Art Museum opened its doors to the Artisans Cup. And what a show it is...
Bonsai Empire presents a sneak-preview to the exhibition. Here goes!
It's sunday afternoon and the Award Ceremony brunch just came to an end. A grand finale for a grand exhibition!
I'm glad to share with you the three winning trees, good for $18,000 worth in prize money!
The Pacific Bonsai Museum is located in a wonderfully forested area, close to Seattle. It offers a great collection of over one hundred trees, all from Pacific Rim nations.
We visited the museum recently, find some photos in this article as well as a movie!