editorial
Simple material
What will it be like when we run out of yamadori material? Like
waking from a bad dream, perhaps, but would it be a nightmare
or a challenge? This thought came to me when I was strolling
through one of the many shows that are held in late summer.
Don’t get me wrong. I much like yamadori bonsai material, however, I also appreciate bonsai created from field-grown or garden
sources provided they possess character and a certain distinguished maturity. Why are these trees overlooked and underestimated? Sometimes I ask myself what is better: a badly styled
yamadori or a bonsai grown from superbly designed field material.
Should there be separate categories for them at shows so these
trees have a chance?
An interesting discussion I had with Walter Pall and Peter Adams
when visiting the Bonsai Autumn show in Switzerland (see further
in this issue for a full report) was how the qualities of deciduous
tree are neglected because of the overkill of conifers at shows. One
of the charms of deciduous trees is that they show the season, as
no other variety can. This is a very important factor in the art of
displaying bonsai. Think of conifers as the flashy sports cars of
bonsai and compare them with deciduous trees that are like an
old fashioned horse and coach going slowly, but getting there in
the end. Both have their charms, especially at shows where they
complement one another.
This issue includes the techniques of maintaining pines, so that
you will be ready to put them into practice when spring and summer arrives. And I mustn’t forget to mention our special masterclass by Kevin Willson, who now lives in Spain enjoying a whole
new life. Louis Victor Bourdeau travelled to Japan to meet up with
pine specialist Kenichi Abe (a well known guest in our magazine)
to see the amazing pines of the Azuma volcanic mountains. Christiaan Yeh went to China to meet his Master, or Phan as the Chinese
say, to work on a large black pine. Both Masters work with field
grown trees, but are inspired by the beauty of trees in Nature.
Enjoy the read
Farrand Bloch
Chief editor
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