Age: about 130 Height: 79 cm
Akamatsu Shakan
(Japanese red pine with a slanted trunk)

The tree looks as if is perched on seaside cliff in a strong wind. It has a typical “shakan” slanted trunk and the pattern of branches gives it an airy look resembling the “bunjingi” (literati) style favored in the Meiji era.

The trunk is slender, but the bark is old and the deadwood “jin” branches lower down the trunk reveal the tree to be 130 years old. It has soft “hasho” leaf features that are peculiar to akamatsu. Some of its branches began to die out in the past, but the tree is now in good overall condition thanks to devoted care.

A small rock has been placed at the foot of the tree to great effect. The rock has been assimilated into the tree, perfectly embraced by the trunk and roots. When the tree is transplanted, the rock is transplanted along with it.

The tree, put on display at the 65th and 74th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, is well known among bonsai lovers as one of the bonsai trees of the Imperial Palace.