In bonsai exhibitions, the attraction is not only the tree’s quality but also display called “Sekikazari (decorating seat or area for bonsai display).” At Green Festa Kokubunji held in Takamatsu’s Kokubunji town at the end of October, many bonsai fanciers enjoyed the elaborate displays. We interviewed Hiramatsu Kiyoshi, the owner of Seijuen Bonsai Garden in Kokubunji town, about attraction of Sekikazari (decorating seat or area for bonsai display).

Greatness of tradition

A Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) of Tsutsui Nobuo in Toyonaka town in Mitoyo city was given the highest award, Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This tree is Moyogi (trees having trunks draw curves in pattern) which is 60 centimeters high and over 100 years old, and has good Edajun (Necessary branches lines up in order). For utilizing the narrow space as a tatami mat, Siebold’s stonecrop having pretty flowers was used as Soe (companion plant) and it made main Kuromatsu (Japanese black tree) bigger and gave great flavor. The Chinese pot is not so old, but its tasteful color brings out the flavor of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine). The traditional display also shows us the greatness of nature.

The Award of Minister of the Environment was given to Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) of Ashida Takamatsu in Kitoku town in Zentsuji city. It has the unique strong tempestuousness of Yamadori (collections from mountains). The Shari (decayed trunks) of Tachiagari (the lowest part of the trunk from which a plant grows up) has the ancient atmosphere and flavor. Probably the idea to utilize the big decay was evaluated and the tree received the Award of Minister of the Environment. The pot has the depth suitable for the tree’s shape. However he used Tsuta (Japanese Ivy) whose leaves changed color as Soe (companion plant), it is better to use the older tree for bringing out the main tree.
It will gain the flavor after 10 or 20 years.

Shohin shows great assersion

The Award of Chief of Agricultural Production Bureau of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was given to a Shohin bonsai of Yamada Minoru in Tsuda town in Sanuki city.

He used Kuromatsu (Japanese black tree) as the main tree and also used Kuchinashi (gardenia), Chirimen-Kazura (Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Chirimen’), and Chojubai (Japanese quince) which express autumn. These trees are big so Shinpaku (Chinese juniper) on Nejoku (table like roots) keeps balance by its position. The trees have the same directionality to the main tree so it feels like simple. The main Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) and Shinpaku (Chinese juniper) are on a national level and other trees are also perfect. It shows his powerful assertion.

(By Shigeo Hano)