BONSAI WORLDtag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2009-01-28:/en/shugi//372012-12-29T05:59:13ZA series of articles by The Shikoku Shimbun focuses on the attractions of bonsai which encapsulate small universes in containers.Movable Type Commercial 4.23-jaYoseue for New Year: Key is Arrangement of Treestag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15452012-12-29T05:26:36Z2012-12-29T05:59:13Z Yoseue (group planting) of pine, bamboo, and plum is good for New Year's decoration. Many women enjoyed the experience of Yoseue at Sakuya Kobo in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town. Yusuke Hashimoto offers Japanese and Western-style Yoseue.盆栽
They enjoyed creating own Yoseue at Sakuya Kobo in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town.
Pleasure of Japanese and Western-style
The difference of Japanese and Western-style is the pot, plants and flowers except the main trees like pine, bamboo, and plum. He used a 5 centimeters' pot for Japanese one and a 20 centimeters' pot for Western. It is good to use the pheasant's eye and the Japanese ardisia, and the pansy and the viola for Western. The pine, the bamboo, the plum, the nandina and the ornamental kale can be used for both styles. The height of plums needs to be fit the each pot. So the trees for Japanese should be smaller and ones for Western should be taller. It is also good to choose the white pram for Japanese and the red one for Western.
It has also difference in the way to plant. For Japanese-style, trees are planted in a shallow pot to run over it and add volume. On the contrary, for Western-style, it is good to plant trees deep in a pot for the stability.
The important point for Yoseue is the arrangement of each tree. Hashimoto says, "Yoseue is nearing completion when it is decided." The direction of each branch can be determined by the place to decorate.
Western-style Yoseue with a deep pot
Japanese-style Yoseue with a shallow pot
Treatment of each tree
Yoseue for the New Year will be created in the end of December. How do they adjust the most beautiful time of flowering of plum to coincide with the New Year? Hashimoto says, "During December, I grow it in an unheated room or outside and water once a day. If the prum's bud is hard, you should move it in a heated room and it will bloom soon."
The pine, bamboo, and plum can be used in the next year if you transplant it and continue to water. Here is a professional point of treatment of plums. When you cut a branch, do not cut it off and keep it to stay on its trunk. Then no buds come out from that part and the tree can keep the beautiful shape.
Tomoyo Tsumura, a participant of this experience from Marugame city, says, "It was difficult for me to decide the arrangement of each tree. My eyes were opened that the direction of each branch can be determined by the place to decorate. I hope many good things will happen in the next year as the number of plum flowers."
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Fruit Trees in Winter: Shohin Bonsai for New Yeartag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15442012-12-29T04:54:21Z2012-12-29T05:08:31Z In winter, you will see trees having fresh red or yellow fruits instead of flower trees of autumn. Toshiyuki Okada, Haruchan bonsai in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, show us his shohin bonsai for the New Year.盆栽
Happy Red Fruit
Pyracantha (fire thorn) is common garden tree in Japan. Japanese name is "Tokiwa Sanzashi." However the tree will be taller than human in nature, it is also popular as shohin bonsai. It is interesting to grow smaller in a pot. But pay attention to the sharp thorns.
Okada grows a tree over 15 years old to be 18 centimeters in a pot. He says, "This thick trunk has a powerful impact. It is easy to grow it from cuttings so beginners can enjoy cultivating."
Cotoneaster also has red fruits like Pyracantha. This tree is about 15 years old and the height is 21 centimeters. Compared to Pyracantha, the elegant shape and size is suitable to display in a room.
Pyracantha (left) and Cotoneaster
Excellent Appearance after Leaves Fall
However the names and shapes are similar, Umemodoki (Japanese winterberry) belongs to the Aquifoliaceae and Tsuru-Umemodoki (Japanese bittersweet) belongs to the Celastraceae. The former is made into Kabudachi (multiple trunks) and Moyogi (trunks draw curves in patterns). After all leaves are falling in late autumn, the red and white fruits are highly noticeable and many fanciers like the appearance. It was named for the appearance with fruits like prams before blooming.
The latter is strong and common in mountains and fields in Japan. The creeper is often grown in a garden and trained over a wall. It gains a distinctive atmosphere with a wild trunk over the years. Its orange fruits in winter are also popular in Japanese flower arrangement.
Umemodoki (left) and Tsuru-Umemodoki
Both are the dioecism plant. Only female plants bear the fruits. When you put the bonsai outside, it is necessary to cover it with nets to protect from birds. The Umemodoki on the left in the picture is 8 years old and the height is 9 centimeters. The Tsuru-umemodoki on the right is 3 years old and the height is 9 centimeters.
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Arrangement of Kuromatsu: Winter, season to pinch off buds and do cuttingtag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15432012-12-29T04:24:09Z2012-12-29T04:45:35Z There is a Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) which is about 80 years old and 42 centimeters in height at Nakanishi Chinshoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town. The Moyogi (trunks draw curves in patterns) tree has good Nebari (condition of roots visible out of the surface of dirt). However it has been 3 years since the last adaptation and the overgrown needles make an unrefined impression. So Yoichi Nakanishi, 5th generation owner of this garden, arranges the shape with scissors. 盆栽
Reshape by Scissors
He did Mekiri (buds trimming) in the beginning of this July. The needles and the buds grow during the summer. And then trees stop glowing from November so it is the best season to pinch off buds and do the cutting.
Judging from the general shape, he decided not to adapt the tree by a jack and thick wires. This time he trimmed the buds and the needles by scissors to reshape.
He cuts the buds carefully by scissors at Nakanishi Chinshoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town.
The 3 or 4 buds come out from a part which was cut in the summer. First, pinch off the unnecessary buds and leave a few to be a single layer. This work makes the tree's shape clearly, and the hidden trunk and branches to come up. At the same time, it is better to pick out the old needles and cut all needles shorter. In doing so, all parts of the tree can receive the sunlight and wind. That's the end of the arrangement by scissors.
Worth Appreciating
After the adaptation, the tree's shape becomes very clear. Nakanishi says, "Trees after these works are worth appreciating as bonsai. In the winter when trees stop growing, I always struggle with a large number of pots to adapt."
Before adaptation (left) and after adaptation
It takes only one day to arrange the shape of trees in this size. However trees are growing. So it is necessary to do Hasukashi (thinning out the needles) and Metsumi (pinching out the buds) every year and the arrangement and the adaptation every 3 to 4 years. Bonsai artists make every effort to improve their trees.
In addition, before exhibitions, they also cut the unnecessary parts, put moss, and change the pot to arrange their tree's shape. Their brilliant ideas create some masterpieces.
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Adaptation of Shohin(2) Shinpaku: Clear and Sharp Like Haircuttag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15422012-12-29T04:13:53Z2012-12-29T04:21:35Z Shinpaku (Chinese juniper) is as popular as pine trees. The well-kept Shari and Jin are very beautiful. Koji Hiramatsu, a director of All Nippon Shohin Bonsai Association in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, adapted a Shinpaku which is about 50 years old and 20 centimeters in height.盆栽
Hiramatsu, wiring a bonsai at Shunshoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Winter is the Best Season
As is the case with Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine), it is preferable to adapt Shinpaku every 4 to 5 years. The time when the needles make hard to see the Shari and Jin is a good time to do. The winter is the best season to do the work because trees dtop growing. The quantity of water-raising is low and the sap won't ooze off. So doing it in the winter reduces a burden on the trees.
The key to create a natural Jin is to cut the branch off a little longer and then to curve it a few years later.
In the case of big trees, artists cut the branch first, and then wire it. However, for Shohin, it is easy to wire from the bottom to apex. So they do the cutting of the unnecessary branches and wiring at the same time.
Before adaptation (left) and after adaptation
Finish by Water
Why are Jin and Shari, the most important part of Shinpaku, so beautiful? Because artists make every effort to do the finishing job.
After trimming and wiring, it is easy to see the Jin and Shari. So then artists curve the tree to give the ancient look. The work is very important and needs to have a high skill.
Finishing the trimming and wiring, they wash the tree by a water gun to remove the water deposit and bog moss carefully. After that, they paint the curved part with the lime sulfur to emphasize the whiteness. It also works as antiseptic to protect trees from rot. After a while, the lime sulfur runs out and the tree gets a natural taste.
Washing the Jin and Shari carefully
Hiramatsu says, "The concept of adaptation is the same with Shinpaku and Kuromatsu. Like haircut for human, trees need to be cut the unnecessary part to be clear and sharp."
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Adaptation of Shohin(1)Kuromatsu: Get New Atmosphere and Attractiontag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15412012-12-03T08:10:55Z2012-12-03T08:22:51Z Adaptation such as wiring, carving, and changing a pot is the big appeal for bonsai artists. Koji Hiramatsu, Shunshoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, showed us the adaptation of Shohin whose height is less than 20 centimeters. Hiramatsu is the only director of All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association in Shikoku.盆栽
Once in 4 to 5 years
Artists adapt trees once in 4 to 5 years. The main purpose of it is to maintain a good size and to receive the sunlight by cutting the branches.
This time he adapted a Misho (grown from seed) Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) which is about 40 years old. A long time has passed since the last adaptation. The tree's branches and needles were too long and the balance with trunk was bad. He felt the branch on the left is too big against the trunk on the right.
Before adaptation (left) and after adaptation
He cut the long branch and it allowed the trunk to be seen. He also showed us the technique to make Jin with the cut branch by knuckle cutters and chisels.
Hiramatsu is making Jin with the cut branch by chisels.
Attention to Pot and Angle
It is easy to wire after cutting the old and long branches. To pick out the needles makes possible to wire to apex of buds. So he does the drastic adaptation. It is clear that the adaptation which changes the tree's shape by cutting and wiring is the best part of bonsai work.
After these works, they sometimes change the pot and the angle of trees. It is also important to select a pot to fit a tree. This time Hiramatsu changed the oblong pot to elliptical one for emphasizing the soft image.
He says, "To select a pot is a part of adaptation. It changes the image of trees. The key is to use a small pot. The branch will run off the edge of the pot and it gives a firm impression."
After a while, the tree will fit the pot and get more attraction.
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Autumn: Active season of bonsai caretag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15402012-12-03T07:56:56Z2012-12-03T08:10:17Z This summer was extremely hot. The lingering summer heat is intense even in September. But the autumn comes to the bonsai world. The season is active time for bonsai care of fertilization, disinfect, picking out the old needles, transplant of Zoki (deciduous trees), and crossbreeding. We interviewed Kiyoshi Hiramatsu, Seijuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, about the care in this season.盆栽
Hiramatsu, picking out the old needles of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) at Seijuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Careful of Fertilization
Bonsai will be active in the autumn and needs to fertilize. Fertilization will help to grow from April to June, and to prepare for getting through the winter from September to November.
There are two types of fertilizer: solid mature and liquid chemical fertilizer. The former will produce an effect slowly on the soil by watering. The latter can serve as watering. The effect is fast and short. So it can be used repeatedly with careful attention to the frequency.
"The key is to feed fertilizer frequently. Over fertilization sometimes causes damage to trees." Hiramatsu puts a teabag containing an oil cake on the soil. The way is free of influence of watering and makes a long term effect.
A teabag containing an oil cake on the soil
Cutting old needles and cross-fertilization of Zoki
Old needles will grow in September if the pine tree has not been trimmed the buds. So the growers cut every old needle they find. It is not easy work to pick them out one by one with hands and tweezers.
It is the best time to transplant Zoki such as Japanese quince, Chojubai quince, Firethorn, and Japanese winterberry. Transplantation should be judged by the solidity of soil and the drain. Some people do for exhibitions in the autumn.
The period from August to September is the cross-fertilization season of the trees with fruits. Hiramatsu showed us the Kadsura japonica's one. He crossed a refrigerated red male with female of a tree. Then some red beautiful fruits will grow in the autumn.
Cross-fertilization of Kadsura japonica
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Tree's shape (5) Neagari and Kabudachi: Attraction is Natural Shape and Magnificent Atmospheretag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15392012-11-07T04:48:13Z2012-11-07T04:56:46Z The pine trees of Neagari style (trees with exposed roots) is one of the tourism resources in Japan. It can be created by artificial means. Kabudachi (trees with multiple trunks extending from its foot) expresses a wild nature with a tree. The trees have magnificent atmosphere.盆栽
Arrange Branches to Fit Roots
Neagari expresses a tree in the nature with its exposed roots by the mudslide and rain. There are two types in Neagari: a gathering of thin roots and a thick root. The important point for both is to arrange the branch's position to fit the roots.
Masaaki Kataoka, Zuishoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, grows a Misho pine tree whose roots come out from the soil about 48 centimeters. The tree is very poplular with its higher Neagari than normal one.
Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) whose roots come out about 50 centimeters at Zuishoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Kataoka says, "If you would like to create Neagari having curve, taste and movement, it is good to grow a seedling in two stages with Azenami (a sheet for agriculture) and 18-liter square can. The trees will have a natural shape and then gain an air like the ancient tree in 25 to 30 years."
Nature in Pot
Kabudachi is a shape of tree having trunks more than 3 extending from its foot. It expresses a landscape of natural fields and mountains in a pot. It's preferable that each trunk has different thickness and length, and all parts maintain a good harmony.
Sometimes a tree having multiple trunk and wider shape than Kabudachi is called "Netsuranari".
Kabudachi of Goyomatsu having magnificent atmosphere at Konishi Shorakuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
Yukihiko Konishi, Konishi Shorakuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows a Kabudachi of Goyomatsu (Japanese white pine). He says, "I bought this tree in Saitama. This tree's balance is good. Looking at the trunk surface, it must be over 60 years old. Now I use scissors instead of wire to arrange the soft shape. The 5 thin trunks create magnificent and ancient atmosphere."
(By Shigeo Hano)
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Tree's Shape（４）Yoseue and Ishitsuki: Individuality Come from Harmonytag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15342012-10-09T05:20:48Z2012-10-09T05:35:37Z A tree without character can be better if it is planted as Yoseue (group planting). The attraction of Ishitsuki (rock-grown style) is a harmony between a tree and a rock rather than a pot. Both shapes have own individuality.盆栽
Express Landscape of Forests and Groves
Yoseue plants a main tree and other trees in a pot. It expresses the landscape of forests and groves. Bonsai artists use not only pine trees but also deciduous trees like maple and zelkova, and wild grasses and trees.
Thin pots are used for Yoseue. The point is the balance of trees and the arrangement having a sense of depth. We can feel the atmosphere of deep mountains and dark valleys from Yoseue of Yezo spruce, that of groves in hillside from Yoseue of deciduous trees, and the light and elegant taste from Yoseue of wild grasses and trees.
Kazuki Kitadani, Kitadani Shokkoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows a Yoseue of Yezo spruce. He says about the attraction of Yoseue, "I had bought a Yoseue with 9 trees in Izumo and recreated it with 6 trees. This work will be near completion with a change of pot whose dirt color is austerely elegant. I think it expresses the hardness of natural environment and coldness in north part of Japan very well."
Yoseue of Yezo spruce having the atmosphere of deep mountains at Kitadani Shokkoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
View of Nature with Tree and Rock
Ishitsuki expresses a landscape of nature with a combination of trees and rocks. Masterpieces need to have a good harmony of the beauty of rocks, energy of trees, and taste of roots.
There are 2 ways of appreciating of Ishitsuki; using a Suiban (a shallow ceramic basin or tray filled with sand) and using a pot. The former features the rock and expresses the magnificent landscape. In comparison, the latter is arranged the rock to intertwine with the tree's roots.
Takahito Hanazawa, Hanazawa Myoshun-en bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows an Ishitsuki of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) from Awaji Island. It is about 50 years old and has grown as Ishitsuki for over 10 years.
Ishitsuki having a good harmony with the rock and tree at Hanazawa Myoshun-en bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
He says, "This tree has a good character even in a pot. But it got a nicer shape with Ryugan rock from Ibi River in Gifu prefecture and wiring. This work will be near completion with the growth of moss of dirt around the roots with the years."
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Tree's Shape（３）Kengai and Takan: Balance is Keytag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15332012-10-09T04:58:02Z2012-10-09T05:16:18Z Kengai and Takan are the bonsai shapes which are more natural than others. Kengai expresses the hardness of nature and Takan expresses the grandness of it. The important point for both shapes is balance.盆栽
Old Tree on Cliff Edge
Kengai is a bonsai shape whose trunk hangs down. The shape is associated with an old tree grown in deep mountains and cliff of seashore receiving strong wind and snow. The tree with its apex dangling down from the bottom of the pot is called "Kengai" while the tree with its apex hanging down to the rim of the pot or its midway point is called "Hankengai."
Of course the roots need to spread deeply and strongly to other side. The balance between roots and pot is important. Sometimes bonsai artists use a deep pot for tree's security.
Toshiyuki Okada, Haruchan bonsai in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, grows a Kengai of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) of Yamadori (collected from mountains). Its branch hangs down about 70 centimeters.
Kengai grown in strong wind and snow for 100 years at Haruchan bonsai in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Okada says about his Kengai tree, "The tree is over 100 years old. It is longer than a human life. So the trunk has dynamism and unique taste. People say the tree is worthy of being exhibited in Kokufu-ten bonsai exhibition."
Whole Balance is Important
A two-trunk tree from bottom or middle part is called "Sokan." If the trunk divided tree into three is called "Sankan", a trunk divided into five is called "Gokan." Including "Sokan", they are called "Takan (a tree having many trunks)."
There is a main trunk and others are the attached trunks. The balance of these trunks is very important for its beauty. The more trunks a tree has, the more difficult to arrange the balance.
Kunihiro Kandaka, Kandaka Fukushoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows Kokonoe of Goyomatsu (Japanese white pine) having a trunks divided into five.
Takan having warm atmosphere like family at Kandaka Fukushoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
Kandaka says, "I found this tree at an auction three years ago. I liked the balanced shape of five trunks. It has a warm atmosphere like family. I guess from its trunk surface the tree is about 80 years old."
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Tree's Shape (2) Moyogi and Bunjingi: Each Fan Overpower by Each Tastetag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15312012-10-01T05:56:06Z2012-10-01T06:03:16Z In our last article, we wrote about Chokkan and Shakan which had very different-looking. This time we will introduce Moyogi and Bunjingi. Each shape has very unique atmosphere so both are popular among bonsai fanciers. 盆栽
Harmonious Beauty
Moyogi is a bonsai shape which a trunk draw pattern with curve to all directions. Its popularity remains stable because of the beauty. Some Moyogi trees are received prizes in many bonsai exhibitions.
It is said the most beautiful shape is to keep the apex and the point of base in line. The important point is a harmonious beauty in the ever-changing world. Moyogi can be seen in the stage of the Noh play and the Kabuki, and the painting on a fusuma.
Kazuyoshi Kawazoe, owner of Issuien bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, creates Moyogi. He says about the shape's taste, "This Moyogi is Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) of Misho (grown from seed). It's about 50 years old. The curve is flexible and the pattern has a good atmosphere. Especially the first branch is great. As the tree grew, it gained the taste."
Moyogi having flexible curve and good atmosphere at Issuien bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Unique Light Atmosphere
Bunjingi was loved by writers and artists in Edo period. It is regarded as one of the Moyogi shapes in the general meaning. Its light atmosphere attracts many bonsai fanciers. Especially bunjingi of Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) has great taste.
In general, the trunk is thin and tall. It is better if it has ancient look. The space and oldness is the important point. All useless branches are lopped off so some trees have no branches in lower part of the trunk.
Bunjingi having beautiful Shari in the trunk at Ikezaki Hidenobuen in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Hidenobu Ikezaki, owner of Ikezaki Hidenobuen in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, says, "I think bunjingi is the final appearance of old trees which no longer have energy to keep branches. This Akamatsu is beautiful with its thin trunk and few branches. From the trunk's Shari, I guess it grew on a cliff with the trunk touch to a rock."
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Tree's Shape (1) Chokkan and Shakan: Pursue Ideal Based on Charactertag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15302012-10-01T05:43:52Z2012-10-01T05:54:57Z There are various shapes of bonsai. Bonsai artists arrange the tree's shape by trimming and wiring based on its natural shape and characteristics to pursue the ideal shape.盆栽
Balance is Everything
Chokkan is one of the shapes of bonsai which the trunk is straight from any angle and tapers toward the apex. In other words, it must have a good "Kokejun." The roots must extend to all direction and the branch must maintain the balance in good order. It is considered as the most basics of bonsai shapes.
This shape describes a tree in mountains and fields or a huge tree in a forest of Japanese cedar in a pot. The shape like bamboo shoot is the ideal.
Chokkan Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) having good Kokejun at Obika Engei in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
Keiji Obika, owner of Obika Engei in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, says, "My father who dead in 1993 liked Chokkan. He loved this tree so I grow it very carefully now. With good advices by other bonsai artists in this area, this tree's Nebari (condition of roots visible out of the surface of dirt) and Hisho (characteristics of bark) are better than the one in exhibition of Kyoshinkai in 1995."
Natural Taste
Different from Chokkan, Shakan is a shape which the trunk is leaned to one side. The shape shows the tree's survival power even in the strong wind and rain.
To have a sense of security, the roots need to spread deeply and strongly to other side. It is important for good shape to control the size of branches of curved side and emphasize the trunk's curve. Compared with Chokkan whose shape is beautiful triangle, Shakan has unique curved trunk and is loved by many fanciers.
Fumio Ideue, owner of Ideue Kikkoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows a Shakan Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) which is about 150 years old. The Shari is great.
Shakan having good Shari at Ideue Kikkoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
Ideue says, "The tree was grown as Moyogi (trunks draw curves in patterns). One day I reshaped to Shakan. The original tree is very different from this one. Now this shape shows the tree received wind from the left like windbreak of Echizen seashore.
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Key to caring in extremely hot season: Cares for protection from the heattag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15222012-09-12T06:54:11Z2012-09-12T07:14:17Z Extremely hot season has an influence on human beings and bonsai. We interviewed Hiroyoshi Yamaji, Chairman of JA Kokubunji bonsai section in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, about the key to caring trees in this season.盆栽
Yamaji, watering his trees
Watering and shade
Yamaji takes care of Ichii (Japanese yew) from Hokkaido in his Sanshoen bonsai garden. The tree is about 200 years old whose trunk is hollow. The Shari (decayed trunks) and Jin (perished branches) are also great. He smiled and said, "This tree must be from the Edo period."
It is difficult to grow trees from cold area like Ichii in warm area, and vice versa. Especially the trees from clod area are very weak in the heat so the cares in the summer is difficult. It is necessary to water twice in a day and protect from the heat with cheesecloth.
The dew in the morning and evening is important for bonsai. But it is a few in the summer so it requires careful watering. In addition, transplanting is also important for good water drainage after watering in hot season.
Old Ichii (Japanese yew) which Yamaji takes care in his bonsai garden
Hard season even for bonsai artists
In JA Kagawa Kokubunji Bonsai center, there are bonsai shelves with cheesecloth and automatic sprinkler for cultivation in hot season. Each bonsai garden also has each cares for protection from the heat.
The temperature is sometimes over 30 degrees in summer in Shikoku and Hokkaido. But in Hokkaido, the temperature difference is extreme between morning and evening, and it helps the roots of trees from cold area to grow.
Automatic watering in cheesecloth at the bonsai center in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town
"The growth of trees from the cold area is influenced by water, soil, and atmosphere beyond the human control. Even in Shikoku area, Kagawa's atmosphere is different with Ehime's and Tokushima's which has high mountains," Yamaji said.
For trees, it is hard to survive the hot season. It is said someone killed the old masterpiece. Once the old trees lose the energy, it is difficult to recover it. So the hot season's care is hard even for the bonsai artists.
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Japanese red pine (3) Yamadori: Get unique atmosphere in wind and snowtag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15202012-08-04T08:05:42Z2012-08-04T08:17:38Z The natural Akamatsu trees (Japanese red pine) seemed to be picked out from mountains and now people don't go there to find good pine trees. The number of Akamatsu of Yamadori (collection from mountains) is decreased on shelves in bonsai gardens so the trees become valuable.盆栽
Care natural Akamatsu
Isao Sasaki, second owner of Aishoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, is one of them. "Now I have no good Akamatsu for your interview," he said with a wry smile.
Isao Sasaki, taking care of Akamatsu, Aishoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokjubunji town
But, in his bonsai shelves, there is Akamatsu of Yamadori which has been planted in a pot for 5 years. The height is about 80 centimeters. It has natural charm and the trunk shows a glimpse of unique redness of Akamatsu. This is one of the precious trees for him.
He smiled and said, "Akamatsu from mountains has the age and it's a big difference from Misho (trees grown from seed). Natural trees grow in strong wind and snow, so they have unique atmosphere. For the trees, bunjin is the best."
Akamatsu of Yamadori
Treasure for creation
He has over 50 years' experience as a bonsai grower after graduation from high school. His father, Akiyoshi, died when he was third year of junior high school. So he couldn't learn from his father and studied everything by himself. He says, "I loved bonsai, so I could. The feeling for bonsai is unchanged even today." Now he mainly creates Shohin bonsai of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine).
He has been received a high evaluation in creation field since he was young. Once he developed new type of Nishikimatsu (cork bark Japanese black pine). In his garden, we found some certificate of commendation of gold, silver and creation award.
His treasure is a photo album of the 1st Kokufu-ten bonsai exhibition held in Tokyo in 1934, a year before the birth of him. He got it in a secondhand book fair in Takamatsu in the Showa 30s (1955-1964). It is the best source of his creations.
Photo album of the 1st Kokufu-ten bonsai exhibitioni
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Japanese red pine (2) Sign to regain popularity; develop attraction with techniquestag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15192012-07-18T04:50:42Z2012-07-18T05:03:30Z In Meji and Taisho Period, Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) was popular. Over the years, the preference had changed to Goyomatsu (Japanese white pine), and then to Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine). However Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) regained the popularity with its feminine and elegant atmosphere about 25 years ago.盆栽
Graceful taste
Kiyoshi Hiramatsu, who is the chairman of JA Kokubunji's bonsai affairs and the owner of Seijuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubunji town, grows many masterpieces of Akamatsu which received various prizes.
Kiyoshi Hiramatsu is taking care of his Akamatsu in Seijuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kokubnji town.
In the past, most Japanese-style restaurants used Akamatsu for its display. Some years later, people started to display bonsai on a table, and it made boom of Goyomatsum, Kuromatsu, and Nishikimatsu which was created in Kokubunji.
Recently Kuromatsu becomes common in Japan and people come to appreciate the unique light atmosphere of Akamatsu. This trend is evident in Kyoto. The number of Akamatsu exhibits is increasing in Taikan-ten exhibition.
Hiramatsu says, "The pure Akamatsu in the mountain has thin needles and trunk whose color is red. Bunjin (the tree having curved trunk and a few branches) and Shakan (slanting trunk) is the best for this tree, I think." The most unique and important point of the tree is its reddish bark. It takes many years to be darker.
Get the rarity value
Akamatsu grows in the inland of Japan. It can easily have the artistic Jin (perished branches) and Shari (decayed trunks) growing in the severe environment such as rocky area with strong wind. It shows the life force to live even the branches are broken and bended by the wind and rain.
A masterpiece of Akamatsu which received various prizes
Materials of pine trees in the mountains including Akamatsu are reaching a limit. Good trees and unique ones are dramatically decreasing. Growers have to cultivate trees by Misho (grown from seed) or Tsugiki (grown by grafting) from now on. But because of the decrease of materials, it is expected to get the rarity value.
Hiramatsu's theory is "Bonsai is harmony of human and nature." Growers have to develop the attraction of the trees with their techniques. The best part of bonsai is to make the shape as natural as possible. So he tries to appreciate and learn the interesting shape of Akamatsu in mountains for his bonsai.
（By Shigeo Hano）
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Japanese red pine (1) Attraction and character; special air by reddish bark and thin needlestag:bonsai.shikoku-np.co.jp,2012:/en/shugi//37.15172012-06-06T04:44:19Z2012-06-06T04:59:22Z While Japanese black pine is called "Omatsu" from its blown-black bark and strong shape, Japanese red pine is called "Mematsu" from its reddish bark and soft needles. It founds one of the bonsai fields with its light and fresh atmosphere and is popular among the people of taste.盆栽
Elegance like women
Fujiyoshi Kandaka, the third of Kandaka Shojuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town, grows Japanese red pines from mountains and islands. There is a famous tree whose age is about 150 years. Kandaka has been working for bonsai since he was in elementary school. For 60 years, he has seen the rise and fall of bonsai. "After the World War Ⅱ, Japanese black pine was popular but no one did so much as look at Japanese red pine. Once some growers pulled it out when they found in their fields. Even if they found the trees which had good shape in mountains and islands, they didn't get the Japanese red pine," he said.
Fujiyoshi Kandaka, taking care of masterpiece of Japanese red pine at Kandaka Shojuen bonsai garden in Takamatsu's Kinashi town
In 1965, some growers and fanciers started taking note of Japanese red pine after decreasing of the good materials of Japanese black pine in mountains and islands. Compared with Japanese black pine which has a dignified appearance, Japanese red pine is elegance with its reddish bark and thin needles. It creates a special atmosphere of the tree when it is used make Bunjingi (tree having curved trunk and a few branches).
Judgment of trimming is important
Some years later, good Japanese red pines were pulled away from mountains and island, and there are few trees now. The trees in Shojuen bonsai garden grow at a good pace and gain the attraction. Kandaka says, "While Japanese red pine from mountains has a good atmosphere but it is difficult to trim the branches. It depends on the judgment of artist whether it will be good or not. In addition, the Jin, Shari and Magari which were created by wind and snow are beyond the man power. But we can enjoy the adaptation to a tree which other person failed." He also cultivates the tree by misho (trees grown from seed). It is difficult to get the atmosphere like Yamadori (collection from mountain), but he tries to make it natural by creating Shari and so on.
Japanese red pine from an island of Seto Inland Sea
In Kandaka Shojuen bonsai garden, there is a place for masterpieces named "Zuiho-den". The red pine of the picture below was just put in a pot, so it needs a long time to be one of the masterpieces. He says, "Some trees have good possibilities enough to be displayed here." about his dream.
