Dec 31, 2015

Bonsai show at Yokohama

A bonsai show "Sekai-ni Hirogaru BONSAI"
(世界に広がるBONSAI, BONSAI spreading through out the world) is
now held at Yokohama Akarenga Sōko
(横浜赤レンガ倉庫, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse).

It introduces bonsai by visual images, written words and real bonsai.


Show period: December 29, 2015 - January 4, 2016.
Hours: 10:00 - 20:00 (18:00 last day)
Entrance: Free.

http://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/hall_space/index

https://www.facebook.com/OmiyaBonsaiArtMuseum/posts/400822690127839


Dec 15, 2015

Dec 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in December 2015

December 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

3(Thu),
10(Thu),
17(Thu),
24(Thu), 29(Tue), 30(Wed), 31(Thu).

From November - February,
the museum is open until 16:00 (entrance before 15:30).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Nov 5, 2015

Minna-no News

A Japanese TV news show,
Minna-no News(みんなのニュース, Everybody's News) is
going to feature foreign bonsai fans
at the Omiya Bonsai Village and the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Channel: Digital terrestrial television 8(フジテレビ, Fuji Television)
Date: November 6(Fri)
Time: 18:15-

Nov 2, 2015

hairy crawler

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 73type Light Duty Truck. 




Japan hairy caterpillar.


Nov 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in November 2015

November 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

5(Thu),
12(Thu),
19(Thu),
26(Thu).

From November - February,
the museum is open until 16:00 (entrance before 15:30).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Oct 5, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in October 2015

October 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

1(Thu),
8(Thu),
15(Thu),
22(Thu),
29(Thu).

From March - October, the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Sep 14, 2015

Nihon Bonsai Kyokai now on facebook

Nihon Bonsai Kyokai(日本盆栽協会, Bonsai Association of Japan),
the management body of Kokufu Bonsai  Ten (国風盆栽展) is now on facebook.


https://www.facebook.com/bonsaikyokai

Sep 6, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in September 2015

September 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on: 

3(Thu),
10(Thu),
17(Thu),
24(Thu).

From March - October, the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Aug 3, 2015

Aug 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in August 2015

August 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:


6(Thu),
13(Thu),
20(Thu),
27(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Jul 18, 2015

FREE SIM card for foreign tourists

"The SIM card giveaway service is
for foreign tourists visiting Saitama City
in tour groups or those who are staying in the selected hotels
listed in the pamphlet (offer valid while stock last).

You will also receive Saitama City’s original postcard
for free which is loaded with information on sightseeing spots,
gourmet food and more. "

cited from:
http://www.city.saitama.jp/004/001/001/p042082.html

Jul 2, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in July 2015

July 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

2(Thu),
9(Thu),
16(Thu),
23(Thu),
30(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Jun 18, 2015

Green Days

Green Days is a Japanese comic featuring
high-school students, bonsai, and a spirit of bonsai.

 And its 1st volume is now on sale.

Sales area closed

The bonsai shop in the parking lot of
the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum will be closed
from June 22 to 25, 2015.

During this period, the museum is closed, too.

Jun 12, 2015

300,000th visitor

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum welcomed the 300,000th visitor last Tuesday.


The institution should announce it more,
but it is too humble like I.

Jun 4, 2015

Uzushio-chan

This is "Uzushio-chan", a mascot of Kita-ku of Saitama-city where the Omiya Bonsai Village lies.

I don't know if this is for the official publicity of the city or a commercial use or a work for competition.

Anyway, the bonsai should be bigger and the skirt should be shorter.

cf. Five needle pine "Uzushio" from the collection of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.
(C)2015- The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Jun 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in June 2015

June 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

4(Thu),
11(Thu),
18(Thu),
22(Mon),
23(Tue),
24(Wed),
25(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

May 2, 2015

Grand Bonsai Festival 2015 coming soon

Every year on May 3, 4 and 5,
Dai Bonsai Matsuri (大盆栽まつり, literally Grand Bonsai Festival) is
held in the Omiya Bonsai Village.

It is one of Japanese largest outdoor market of bonsai,
plants, pots and related materials.

It began to commemorate
the 60th anniversary of the Omiya Bonsai Village and
now it is recognized as a seasonal event.


May 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in May 2015


April 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

7(Thu),
14(Thu),
21(Thu),
28(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Apr 23, 2015

Bonsai exhibition featuring Kyuka-en

A bonsai exhibition of works of Kyuka-en
will be held at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
from April 24(Fri) to April 29(Wed).

We are going to display species which is rarely taken up as bonsai,
like Karakogi-kaede (Acer ginnala Maxim. var. aidzuense (Franch.) K.Ogata.).

Apr 9, 2015

Apr 4, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in April 2015

April 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

2(Thu),
9(Thu),
16(Thu),
23(Thu),
30(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Mar 14, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in March 2015

March 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

5(Thu),
12(Thu),
19(Thu),
26(Thu).

From March - October,
the museum is open until 16:30 (entrance before 16:00).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Feb 27, 2015

Weeping Japanese apricot



Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot).

I bought, then potted them.

I like this kind of easy job.

Feb 23, 2015

Best sellers rank of Masakuni tools

Best sellers rank of Masakuni tools during the Kokufu-ten period.

*******************************************

3: No.8018(L) (Wire pliers, large)

Bonsai pliers are unique in that they hold the object
at the tip for a firm grasp.

Masakuni pliers are tough and solid but easy to handle.

They deserve a reputation as "the best".

*******************************************

2: No.9 (Wire cutters)

A small pair of wire cutters which can be held in a palm 
during wire work.


*******************************************

1: No.8009 (Wire cutters)

Silver version of No.9 with anti-rust coating.

Masakuni No.8000- series look like stainless steel,
but actually they are made of Swedish carbon steel.

Feb 15, 2015

Japanese No.1 manufacturer of tweezers

A Japanese TV program featuring the OEM manufacturer
of Masakuni No.803 bud trimming tweezers (pruning tweezers).



タモリ倶楽部 150213 投稿者 bbzzb


In the program, the TV personalities cuts leaves of
some kind of evergreen plants,
but it is not a proper use.

No.803 is for trimming tiny, young, soft buds.

Proper use of No.803:
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaibati-haruyosi/entry-11511227777.html
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaibati-haruyosi/entry-11498967995.html

Feb 4, 2015

Sales area of Kokufu Ten 2015

From February 5 - 13, Risshun Bonsai Oichi
(立春盆栽大市, literally Lichun Bonsai Grand Market)
is held at the Ueno Green Club.

It is one of Japanese largest markets of bonsai, pots, tools,
suiseki (viewing stone) and related materials.

cf.
http://japan-bonsai.blogspot.jp/2013/02/sales-area-of-kokufu-bonsai-ten.html

The hours for this event is from 9:00 - 17:00 (16:00, last day).

Kyuka-en is going to sell Masakuni tools, Biogold fertilizer and
Arita-yaki flower pots made by Riso-gama (李荘窯, Riso kiln)
on the 2nd floor of the Ueno Green Club.



Risshun Bonsai Oichi 2014 movie:


For the convenience of the visitors,
every year during the Kokufu Ten period,
a connecting limo (or minibus) runs between
the museum and the Ueno Green Club.


Usually, the bus departs from here on the museum side.

View Larger Map

I hope you visit the Ueno Green Club with a fat wallet,
and leave with a thin wallet and satisfaction.

Ueno Green Club map:

View Larger Map

Feb 3, 2015

2nd exhibition featuring the history of the Omiya Bonsai Village

A feature exhibition about the history of
the Omiya Bonsai Village is now held at
the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum until April 8.

Kyuka-en is going to exhibit historical materials
 about the early history of the Omiya Bosnai Village.

I hope you visit the museum on your way back from Ueno Green Club.


Past


Now


Leaflet






















Kokufu-ten?

I think there is a bonsai exhibition with that kind of name.

No problem in visiting Kokufu-ten next year.
There is no big change in the exhibits.

Feb 2, 2015

2nd exhibition featuring black pine bonsai

A feature exhibition featuring black pine bonsai,
"Nihon-no Keisho Ten"
(literally Exhibition of Landscape Pines in Japan)
is now held at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Kyuka-en is going to exhibit
in the 2nd (February 6 - 11) and 4th (February 20 - 25) week
black pine bonsai which was among the collection of
a onetime Prime Minister of Japan, YOSHIDA Shigeru.

I hope you visit the museum on your way back from Ueno Green Club.


Kokufu-ten?

I think there is a bonsai exhibition with that kind of name.

Feel free to visit that exhibit, too, if you please.

Feb 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in February 2015

February 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

5(Thu),
12(Thu),
19(Thu),
26(Thu).

From November - February,
the museum is open until 16:00 (entrance before 15:30).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.

Jan 16, 2015

44th Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten(new link added AGAIN )

The 44th Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten
(全国小品盆栽名品展, National Exhibition of Fine Pieces of Shohin Bonsai),
was held at Ueno Green Club(上野グリーンクラブ)
from January 9 - 11, 2015.

(cf. http://japan-bonsai.blogspot.jp/2013/01/two-directions-of-shohin-bonsai.html)

Gafu-ten(雅風展) is the most prestigious exhibition of sho-hin bonsai
or an apparatus to sell expensive bonsai.
Some people say it shows over maturity before fall
because it has already hit the ceiling.

On the other hand, Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten has
big presence on the web.

Because its size and style have high affinity with
the internet users in Japan, I think.

Some of the exhibitors make even the pots themselves.
It is a "hand-made" exhibition of bonsai lovers.

Displays at the 44th Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten:

http://ameblo.jp/bonsaihajime/entry-11976099650.html

http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11975229553.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11975735579.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11976006218.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11976458889.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11976459125.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11976459890.html(new link)

http://ameblo.jp/bonsaidou/entry-11975727608.html

http://ameblo.jp/sa-yura/entry-11975571160.html
http://ameblo.jp/sa-yura/entry-11975883788.html

http://ameblo.jp/soushuumiura/entry-11976395697.html
http://ameblo.jp/soushuumiura/entry-11976411827.html
http://ameblo.jp/soushuumiura/entry-11976423866.html

http://ameblo.jp/isso-bachi/entry-11976232635.html
http://ameblo.jp/isso-bachi/entry-11975469695.html
http://ameblo.jp/isso-bachi/entry-11976967209.html
http://ameblo.jp/isso-bachi/entry-11977417268.html

http://ameblo.jp/tenoribonsai/entry-11978542444.html(new link)

Jan 3, 2015

My first and last work in 2015

Today, I went to a nearby DIY store to buy Akadama.

I know people in the world sometimes have difficulties in getting Akadama.
But in Japan it is one of the most basic soils for growing plants, 
and it is available anywhere if you don't mind the quality, or hardness of the grain.

At the store, I found a white Japanese apricot sold in a basket 
which was not even potted.

Akadama is available anytime, so I bought the apricot.


It is easy to plant it in a well-made bonsai pot and 
raise the overall quality as bonsai.

But I have learnt that the higher I raise the quality and the price, 
the lower the marketability becomes.

At first I thought of potting it in a blue oval pot but it was too small.

Then I made compromise by this red pot, 
though I thought it was a bit too massive.


I raised the trunk slightly.

I will offer it for a fair price for not bonsai lovers 
but those who want apricot blossoms at hand. 



I used aluminium wire to fasten the tree in the pot.



The wire is not visible from outside.


Sometimes I use magic which is different from that of so-called bonsai masters.

My magic is hidden and discreet like this wire.

Jan 1, 2015

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in January 2015

January 2015, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

1(Thu) - 3(Sat),
8(Thu),
15(Thu),
22(Thu),
29(Thu).

From November - February,
the museum is open until 16:00 (entrance before 15:30).

On Thursdays, nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village are closed, too.