Imperial decoration making

The making of assortments to celebrate the new year was publicized.

They are called haru-kazari (春飾り, literally spring decoration)
and placed in Tokyo Imperial Palace
in the first three days of the new year.


http://www.news24.jp/articles/2013/12/26/07242802.html

http://www.news24.jp/player/wm/300k.html?m_url=20131226_0004

Journeys in Japan

The other day, NHK WORLD broadcast
a program featuring bonsai.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/journeys/archives20131211.html


The video is now available on facebook.


NHK World "Journeys in Japan - The Miniature World of Bonsai - Omiya" - Part 1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=488304711285451


NHK World "Journeys in Japan - The Miniature World of Bonsai - Omiya" - Part 2
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=488340967948492

"OMIYA BONSAI" website renewal

"OMIYA BONSAI" website got a face lift.

http://omiyabonsai.jp/

Enjoy its new design and beautiful photos.

ultra-small 3D printer "BONSAI Mini"

Someday, people print out bonsai pots?


BONSAI LAB, Inc.:
https://www.facebook.com/bonsailab

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in December 2013

December 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

5(Thu),
12(Thu),
19(Thu),
26(Thu),
29(Sun) - 3(Fri, 2014).

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

Taikan-ten report by ActuBonsaï

Taikan-ten report by monsieur Guillaume BILLAUD with a movie.

http://actubonsai.com/2013/11/26/
taikan-ten-2013-exposition-bonsai-kyoto/

Bill's report of Taikan-ten (revised)

Mr. William N. Valavanis wrote articles
about Nippon Bonsai Taikan-ten
(literally Japan Grand View Bonsai Exhibition )
with beautiful photos.

http://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2013/11/21/
japan-international-bonsai-tour-exploration-autumn-2013-part-3/

http://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2013/11/22/
japan-international-bonsai-tour-exploration-autumn-2013-part-4/

http://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2013/11/23/
japan-international-bonsai-tour-exploration-autumn-2013-part-5/

Of course it doesn't mean that you don't have to visit Japan.

33rd Nippon Bonsai Taikan-ten

The 33rd Nippon Bonsai Taikan-ten
(literally Japan Grand View Bonsai Exhibition )
is now on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTaikanten.33

It is one of the largest bonsai exhibition in western Japan
and this year it is held from November 22 - 25.

Growing Market for Bonsai

A video news featuring the activities
to export bonsai from the Omiya Bonsai Village is
now available on NHK WORLD.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/newsline/201311201116.html

ActuBonsaï

The other day, monsieur Guillaume BILLAUD de Actu Bonsaï visited us.

His report is now on the web.

http://actubonsai.com/2013/11/07/j10-visite-omiya-kyuka-en/

I hope he doesn't speak ill of me taking advantage of my inability of French.

Shizen Bonsai exhibition

Every year in this season,
the exhibition of "Shizen Bonsai"(Nature Bonsai) is held at
Saitama Dento Kogei Kaikan
(埼玉伝統工芸会館, literally Saitama Traditional Crafts House)
and this year it is held from November 9 - 10.

"Shizen Bonsai" is one extreme style of non-commercial bonsai
practiced by late KITAMURA Takuzo(北村卓三)
who presided a legendary bonsai magazine
Shizen to Bonsai(自然と盆栽, Nature and Bonsai)
and his followers.

This movement is almost completely neglected by
the present bonsai world.

But International Bonsai magazine sometimes cites
articles from Shizen to Bonsai .

And Masakuni has 4 types of scissors
designed by KITAMURA in its product line and
their features are often imitated by other tool makers.
(I am going to mention it later.)

KITAMURA's legacy will be inherited in the future as well.


Shizen Bonsai web site:
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~toyoan/index.html

Shizen Bonsai exhibiton:
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~toyoan/tenjikai13.html

埼玉伝統工芸館(Saitama Traditional Crafts House):
https://plus.google.com/103537201456012363679/about?hl=en

a local bonsai exhibition

A blog introducing a local bonsai exhibition in Yamanashi prefecture (山梨県):
http://amemiyaen.exblog.jp/18865908

Some are formal, and some are natural and casual.
They make a good combination and balance.

I like it.

BS TV program "BONSAI planet"

A BS TV program featuring bonsai,
BONSAI planet will be broadcast on
November 2 at 15:00 - 15:55 on BS Fuji.

http://www.bsfuji.tv/top/pub/bonsaiplanet.html

I hope you are already in Japan to tune in BS Fuji.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in November 2013

November 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

SAITAMA Criterium by Le Tour de France

SAITAMA Criterium by Le Tour de France,
world's first criterium race in the name of Le Tour de France,
will be held October 26, 2013.

And a tour of the cyclists visited the Omiya Bonsai Museum
on the day before the race.



Mr. Marcel Kittel trying to be as dignified as bonsai.

大宮盆栽美術館にて pic.twitter.com/ut7Do7B9Dr
— さいたまクリテリウム実行委員会 (@saitamacrite) October 25, 2013

Mr. Rui Costa intrigued by bonsai.

盆栽に食いつくコスタ pic.twitter.com/qNf5A6xhr3
— Makoto AYANO (@makotoayano) October 25, 2013

The 6th "Saitama Komachi" vote on the web

Ms. SAKAGUCHI Aya (坂口彩),
one of the actors and producers of a Japanese short film,
usual colors is one of the finalists of
the 6th Saitama Komachi (さいたま小町, Saitama Beauty).

Saitama Komachi is a promotion personality of
the tourism and industry of Saitama city.

The PR video of Ms. SAKAGUCHI:




Another finalist is Ms. OTSUKA Mioko (大塚美緒子).

When she was a highschool student,
she belonged to a broadcasting club.

And she made a presentation about Kyuka-en
at a competition to receive the governor's award of
Saitama prefecture.

The PR video of Ms. OTSUKA.




You can vote only once, so make a careful choice.

Click to open the web vote system:
http://www.ex-ad.co.jp/miss/miss.html

Click to enlarge the image to know how to vote:

Limited open of the Omiya Bonsai Museum

October 16, the garden area of
the Omiya Bonsai Museum will be closed
because of Typhoon No. 26.

"Alice's Bonsai"

Toyoko SHIMADA - Alice's Bonsai, 2010.

A modern interpretation of tokonoma display.
No need for watering.

I can't find a profile of the artist,
but her works are surely radiant.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/toyokoshimada/

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in October 2013

October 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

Omiya Bonsai Village on YouTube

Mr. KANEKO at the Saitama City hall
uploaded series of bonsai movies on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5w4JwFaVk7ynykoxkIdNQ

They feature mainly bonsai in the Omiya Bonsai Village.

If you want to see the bonsai by yourself,
please don't hesitate to fly to Japan.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in September 2013

September 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

1(Sun) - 5(Thu),
12(Thu),
19(Thu),
26(Thu).

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

Mr. KOTANA now on blogspot

Mr. KOTANA Akio at Fuyo-en
in the Omiya Bonsai Village is
now on blogspot.

ZokiBonsai (deciduous tree bonsai):
http://zokibonsai.blogspot.jp/

Ippin back again

A BS TV program featuring bonsai of Omiya,
Ippin (イッピン) will be broadcast again on August 18
at 4:30 - 5:00 in the early morning.

This time it is on a terrestrial televison.

http://www4.nhk.or.jp/ippin/x/2013-08-18/21/14292/

It is lucky for you that it is broadcast at an early hour.

You must be wide‐awake because of jet lag.

OBM now on facebook

The Omiya Bonsai Museum is now on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E3%81%95%E3%81%84%E3%81%9F%E3%81%BE%E5%B8%82%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE%E7%9B%86%E6%A0%BD%E7%BE%8E%E8%A1%93%E9%A4%A8/134086596801451

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in August 2013

August 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

1(Thu),
8(Thu),
15(Thu),
22(Thu),
29(Thu) - September 5(Thu).

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

Art exhibition: Flowers in Bloom

At Edo-Tokyo Museum,
a special exhibition Flowers in Bloom is held
until September 1, 2013.

This exhibition presents a large number of
documents and historical materials
that underline the magnificence of gardening,
with the focus on the culture of gardening,
which spread through Japan in the Edo Period.
(from Flowers in Bloom official site)

http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/special/201307/index.html


Handbill:

Mr. SAKAI now on Ameba blog

Mr. SAKAI Atsushi who studied bonsai at
Mansei-en in the Omiya Bonsai Village is
now on Ameba blog.

盆栽｜Bonsai:
http://ameblo.jp/atusibonsai/

Imperial bonsai nursery on a BS TV program

A BS TV program featuring bonsai and the Omiya Bonsai Village
will be broadcast on July 13 at 16:00 - 16:55 on BS Asahi.

Worldwide Spreading Living Work of Art "BONSAI"
-- Pursuing Its Renewed Attraction --  
(世界に広がる生きた芸術“BONSAI"
～新たな盆栽の魅力を追って～)

http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/bonsai/


The program will cover Omichi Teien (大道庭園),
a bonsai nursery in Tokyo Imperial Palace
which is highly secured and never open to public
and bonsai in France, too.

If you are in Japan, tune in BS Asahi.

If not, hitchhike now.

Saitama bids to host intl bonsai expo

Vote for Japan, please!

--------------------------------------

July 2, 2013

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Hiroshi Takeyama prunes bonsai at a nursery in Kita Ward, Saitama.

The Saitama city government, the Omiya Bonsai Cooperative and
other local bonsai-related organizations have launched
a campaign to host the World Bonsai Convention in 2017.

The convention, which is held every four years,
debuted in 1989 in Omiya,
a city that has since been integrated into Saitama.

If the current bid is successful,
the 2017 event would mark the convention’s first return
to Japan in 28 years.

The city government and concerned entities
hope to transform locally grown bonsai into
a globally recognized Japanese brand,
particularly in the European market.

They also plan to showcase Omiya Bonsai Village,
a cluster of bonsai nurseries and related facilities,
as an international tourist spot.

Their goal is to attract at least 70,000 visitors
to the event in Saitama, where public exhibitions,
business meetings, and pruning and trimming demonstrations
for beginners.

According to the city government’s tourism division,
the first bonsai convention in Omiya was attended by
about 1,200 hobbyists and researchers
from 32 countries and territories.

At the first convention,
bonsai masters led pruning and trimming demonstrations
as well as workshops on cultivation and history
to spread bonsai culture and promote exchange.

Since then, the convention has been held
in such cities as Seoul, Munich and Washington.

Hiroshi Takeyama, 72, chief of Fuyo-en,
one of the nurseries in Omiya Bonsai Village,
heads a committee to bid for the world convention.
“The diversity of plant species here is
unparalleled anywhere in the world.
With the full support of the local community,
we hope to show the rest of the world
what the home of bonsai has to offer,” he said.

In Omiya Bonsai Village,
the exports of bonsai to Europe will fully resume in this autumn,
and local residents expect the market to grow.

The 2017 venue will be decided in September,
when the World Bonsai Friendship Federation holds a meeting
of its directors in Jintan, China.

Nine WBFF directors will vote on the venue.

Saitama’s main rival in the bid to host the convention is
seen to be a city in Taiwan
that is also trying to expand its bonsai exports,
according to sources.

In Taiwan, techniques to cultivate bonsai
have improved in recent years,
and the products are priced lower than those
from Omiya Bonsai Village.

 “It will be a good opportunity for us
to differentiate our products from theirs
by emphasizing our cultivation expertise and
the superb quality of our products.”

As European countries hold the key to the decision,
Saitama Mayor Hayato Shimizu
will solicit the support of a WBFF director in London in July.

An official of the city government tourism division said:
“Partly because of bonsai booms in Europe,
we have high expectations for the potential economic effects.
We want to host the convention at any cost.”

Takeyama, meanwhile, said,
“I hope our efforts at bringing the convention to the city
will increase the number of bonsai lovers in Japan.”

Omiya Bonsai Village was established
after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
Bonsai masters in and around Tokyo’s Sendagi district
who suffered damage from the quake moved to an area
near JR Toro Station in present-day Kita Ward, Saitama,
because the red loamy soil of the Kanto Plain was
well suited for growing bonsai.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000344323

(C) The Yomiuri Shimbun
--------------------------------------

Thereafter of the angular souvenir

Thereafter of one of the angular souvenirs I brought back 

from the 2013 Kokufu Ten (国風展 or 国風盆栽展) sales area.

Pot by YAMAMORI Shiho (山もりしほ). 

I planted sobana (ソバナ, 岨菜,  Adenophora remotiflora)
I bought at the sales area of
the 2012 Nisso Ten (日草展, literally Japan Plant Exhibition).

Last year, I was satisfied by just buying it and
abused it with little fertilizer.

Hereafter, I'm going to indulge it.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in July 2013

July 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

4(Thu),
11(Thu),
18(Thu),
25(Thu).

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

Bonsai barber

One day, I was an idle salesclerk and 

busy barber at the Omiya Bonsai Museum sales area.

Keyaki (欅, Zelkova serrata)

Dragon bonsai

A dragon in a bonsai pot.

展現舎の「深木シゲミ展」。立体。これまでのインスタレーションから一転して、立体の小品を出品。盆栽の植物が龍にメタモルフォーゼした感じの作品。かなり手が込んでいて、深木さんの器用さに感心。http://t.co/s1pDEN0bC1 pic.twitter.com/eyPcp2MGlB
— 小吹隆文 (@kobukitakafumi) June 13, 2013

A tamed one by a Japanese artist, FUKAKI Shigemi （深木シゲミ）.

FUKAKI Shigemi web site:
http://fukakishigemi.under.jp/index.html

Meiji Shrine bonsai exhibition photos

Enjoy!

http://kizuna-maboroshi.doorblog.jp/archives/28156404.html

http://blog.e-ribo.com/?eid=1234895

Bonsai exhibition at Meiji Shrine

The 13th dedicatory exhibition of bonsai is now held at Meiji Shrine.

It is one of few bonsai exhibitions held in
Yamanote, or the upper-class areas of Tokyo.

First part:
June 7 - 9, 2013

Latter part:
June 10 - 12, 2013

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in June 2013

June 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

Prime satsuki?

Satsuki azalea bonsai in the Prime Minister's Official Residence.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.314382198661546.56598.314327765333656&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=364640656969033&set=a.314382198661546.56598.314327765333656&type=3&theater

Edible bonsai, ver. Kyuka-en

The other day, I posted an article about edible bonsai.

They were cookies with icing. 

This is my version of edible bonsai.

Chives.

Of course, I don't eat it.

Bonsai serves the joy of eyes, not tongues.

Grand Bonsai Festival

Every year on May 3, 4, 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.

Bonsai Matsuri movie 1:


Bonsai Matsuri Movie 2 (3:08-):


You must be impatient to visit Japan and Bonsai Matsuri.

Book a flight for the next year.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in May 2013

May 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

Bonsai teacher

Mr. Morimae, the supreme adviser of S-CUBE
teaches bonsai to elementary school students.

http://www.asahi.com/area/saitama/articles/MTW1304171100007.html

Another BS TV program

A BS TV program featuring the Omiya Bonsai Village,
Minna no Machi (みんなのまち, literally Everybody's Town)
will be broadcast on April 23 at 22:54 - 23:24 on BS Japan.

http://www.bs-j.co.jp/minnanomachi/04.html

If you are in Japan, tune in BS Japan.

If not, swim now.

Ippin rebroadcast

A BS TV program featuring bonsai of Omiya,
Ippin (イッピン) will be broadcast again on April 19
at 12:00 - 12:30 at noon.

http://www4.nhk.or.jp/ippin/x/2013-04-19/10/22840/

If you are in Japan, tune in BS Premium.

If not, fly now.

Ippin

Feb 3, I posted an article about shooting for a BS TV program, Ippin (イッピン).

The program was broadcast on April 9
and it is available in two parts on YouTube now.

Have a look at them before they are censored.







From 00:25 in the latter part,
you will see chojubai (長寿梅, Chaenomeles speciosa 'Chojubai') of Kyuka-en.

If you are more interested in the female guide of the program,
she is KUROTANI Tomoka (黒谷友香),
a famous Japanese actor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoka_Kurotani

Bonsai manhole cover

The other day, Omiyabonsai uploaded a picture of 

a bonsai manhole cover in Saitama City on its facebook page.

It is none of my intention to be offensive, 

but I am kind of particular about the aesthetical aspect of 

a photographic expression for I often see 

how professional photographers take pictures.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in April 2013

April 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

4(Thu),
11(Thu),
18(Thu),
25(Thu).

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

Bonsai on your nail

Grow a small tree on your nail!

Bonsai on an operating table

A patient waiting for the operation.

The doctor performing an operation.

This is trident maple (唐楓[to-kaede], Acer buergerianum).

The very same tree on the jacket of Four Seasons of Bonsai.

Showy adaptation is one thing, "handing on the torch" is another.

Oops, it's a slip of the tongue.

Ai-chan Bonsai - Monument for Nothing

An art exhibition of AIDA Makoto 

who is one of Japanese most talented contemporary artists, 

Monument for Nothing is held at Mori Art Museum until March 31, 2013. 

His works are apparently easy to understand, 

but behind them are a deep insight and irony 

about the Japanese society.

In Taki-no-e (滝の絵, Picture of Waterfall),

he combined an image of a waterfall

which is one of typical subjects of Japanese traditional paintings 

with images of bi-shojo (美少女, beautiful young girl) 

which can be seen everywhere in Japan.

Taki-no-e (滝の絵, Picture of Waterfall). 2007-2010.

 Acrylic on canvas. 

 (c) AIDA Makoto / Mizuma Art Gallery

Ai-chan Bonsai is a series of his objets d'art 

created in collaboration with KATO Ai. 

Ai-chan Bonsai 

(c) AIDA Makoto / KATO Ai / Mizuma Art Gallery

 Ai-chan Bonsai 
(c) AIDA Makoto / KATO Ai / Mizuma Art Gallery

Ai-chan Bonsai 

(c) AIDA Makoto / KATO Ai / Mizuma Art Gallery

Ai-chan Bonsai:

Girls of the same features growing from one stem
remind me of AYANAMI Rei, a cloned, expendable pilot of Evangelion.


To those who think that museums and works of art should be
educational and moralistic,
and to those who do not understand that works of art reflect
the atmosphere of the times,
his works and this exhibition must seem highly provocative.

But visiting Monument for Nothing,
I was excited nearly for the first times in a recent few years
at an art exhibition.

I felt that entertainment, caricatures,
skills and energy as an artist to realize a concept,
adaptation of traditional paintings and all
were integrated in a higher dimension in his works.


AIDA Makoto: Monument for Nothing - Trailer:

AIDA Makoto: Monument for Nothing :
http://www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/aidamakoto_main/index.html

AIDA Makoto - facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/aidamakoto

AIDA Makoto - twitter:
https://twitter.com/makotoaida

Another shot of edible bonsai

A blog introducing edible bonsai by HIRAI Risa:
http://orinchan55.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-1213.html

Angular souvenirs

Some of the souvenirs I brought back from the sales area of Kokufu ten.

YAMAMORI Shiho (山もりしほ).

YAMAMORI Shiho (山もりしほ).

She is a Japanese female potter.
I like the rough, imposing appearance of these pots.
But they are not the only character of her works.

She baked such a pretty pot, too.

A fan-shaped pot by KATAOKA Mitsue (片岡美津江).

She is a wife of a Japanese famous potter, KATAOKA Reiho (片岡黎鳳).

You make think this design is avant-garde, 

but a pot like this appeared in a book published more than 100 years ago.

Black pine in a fan-shaped pot.

From Horticulture at Home - Floriculture and Bonsai （家庭園芸　花卉と盆栽), 1905.

Nothing is new in bonsai.



Lastly, a round souvenir.

YAMAMORI Shiho (山もりしほ).

Edible bonsai

HIRAI Risa who is an artist and a student at Tama Art University
"baked" bonsai.

(C) HIRAI Risa / Gallery Tokyo Humanite.

(C) HIRAI Risa / Gallery Tokyo Humanite.

Actually, these are cookies with icing.

Her works will be on display at Gallery Tokyo Humanite
from March 11 to 16, 2013.

By the way, I am in charge of eating and growing, not cooking.


Spoon & Tamago blog introducing garden-bonsai:
http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/02/20/the-edible-art-of-risa-hirai/

DesignWorks blog introducing garden-bonsai:
http://designwork-s.com/article/332412935.html

DIGITAL DJ Network JAPAN website
introducing garden-bonsai:
http://japan.digitaldj-network.com/articles/10146.html

Gallery Tokyo Humanite map:
http://g-tokyohumanite.jp/contact.html

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in March 2013

March 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

Flowering bonsai exhibition

An exhibition of flowering bonsai is held
at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
until March 27, 2013.

The bonsai nurseries in the Omiya Bonsai Village
exhibit bonsai with spring blooms like
Japanese apricot, camellia and cherry blossoms.

I hope you feel the arrival of spring from bonsai
at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Hairy souvenirs

It is my great, not to say only enjoyment during the Kokufu ten period
to bring back souvenirs for myself from the Ueno Green Club sales area.

This year I was especially fascinated by what were hairy.

From left to right,

a stainless steel and brass wire brush,  

a spiral brass wire brush, 

a spiral nylon brush, 

a hemp palm brush (large),　

a hemp palm brush (small).

I'm not sure if I really use them.

I already have a collection of hairy things.

But that doesn't matter.

I bought them because they were hairy.

Kokufu ten photos (don't expect too much)

Kokufu ten and Risshun Bonsai Oichi,
two of Japanese largest bonsai events were over.

This year it was the first Kokufu ten
after the facility improvement of
the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. 

I heard that the planning of the flow line was awkward
and sometimes many people had to wait before entrance
forming a line outside the museum.

I hope this point is improved, too next year.

At Kokufu ten, photo is not allowed, 
but I collected blogs with pictures taken at Kokufu ten.

Some are officially allowed, some are sneak shots,
and some are captured from Shumi no Engei.

http://www.bonsai.co.jp/ec/bonsaipic/?p=2328 

http://stuff.tochinoha.com/?eid=958141 

http://ameblo.jp/unotaku/entry-11462349225.html 

http://ameblo.jp/outdoor-life083/entry-11466208443.html 

http://ameblo.jp/tokorozawa-engei/entry-11466219194.html 

http://ameblo.jp/umaleeno/entry-11466857031.html 

http://ameblo.jp/harahetta-k/entry-11484330122.html

http://karen0619.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-287.html 

http://mttamasa3412.blog96.fc2.com/blog-entry-1716.html 

http://ameblo.jp/chamicha0612/entry-11468530907.html 

http://koshiro3777.at.webry.info/201302/article_7.html 

http://koshiro3777.at.webry.info/201302/article_8.html 

http://koshiro3777.at.webry.info/201302/article_9.html 

http://koshiro3777.at.webry.info/201302/article_10.html

Limited time bonsai cafe

At Showa Kinen Park (国営昭和記念公園,
Showa Commemorative National Government Park）,
a limited time bonsai cafe is open until
February 17, 2013.

It is aimed at being the center of an international meeting
of bonsai lovers.

A blog introducing the bonsai cafe:
http://chibita.blog.tsuge.jp/archives/1817556.html

TV program featuring bonsai

A nationwide TV program about horticulture,
Shumi no Engei (趣味の園芸，hobby horticulture, horticulture as a hobby)
will feature bonsai and Kokufu Ten on February 2, 2013.

The program will be broadcast at 8:30 - 8:55 a.m..

If you are in Japan, tune in E tele.

If not, fly now.

You will be in time for the rebroadcast
on February 13 at 9:30 - 9:55 p.m.
and February 14 at 10:30 - 10:55 a.m..

MASAKUNI awarded "Master craftsman of modern times"

The other day, I went to a municipal library to photocopy 

the newspaper articles about MASAKUNI 3rd.

He was awarded Gendai no meiko 

(現代の名工, Master craftsman of modern times)

by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in November last year.

It means that the quality of Japanese best bonsai tools is officially certified.

I feel glad as a descendant of MURTA Kyuzo who worked with 

MASAKUNI 1st to make up almost all the basic designs of 

the bonsai tools of the present day.

The Mainichi Newspapers morning paper of Saitama local edition, 

November 8, 2012.

(C) The Mainichi Newspapers. All rights reserved.

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in February 2013

February 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

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

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

But during the Kokufu Ten period, some nurseries may be open, I think.

Sales area of Kokufu Ten

Every year during the Kokufu Ten period,
Risshun Bonsai Oichi
(立春盆栽大市, literally Lichun Bonsai Grand Market)
is held at Ueno Green Club.

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

Risshun Bonsai Oichi 2012 movie:


It is virtually a sales area of Kokufu Ten
because no commercial activities are allowed in
the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (東京都美術館)
where Kokufu Ten is held.

As you see, in the Japanese bonsai world,
Kokufu Bonsai Ten is always abbreviated as
Kokufu Ten or simply as Kokufu.

And nobody says Risshun Bonsai Oichi.
Kokufu no baiten (国風の売店, sales area of Kokufu)
will do.

It takes about 20 minutes to go from the museum to
Ueno Green Club on foot if you are familiar with Ueno area.

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

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

View Larger Map

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


Ueno Green Club map:

View Larger Map

Shooting for a TV program

Every year in the Kokufu Bonsai Ten period,
Mr. William N. Valavanis who presides
the International Bonsai Arboretum
brings a bonsai tour to Japan.

This time, he visited Omiya Bonsai Village
accompanying a shooting crew of a Japanese BS TV program,
Ippin (イッピン, masterpiece, fine piece, one thing).

This program introduces by a scientific approach
Japanese traditional products which match a modern life style.

I am glad that bonsai is taken up in a nationwide TV program.

The program is scheduled to be broadcast this April,
but I have one problem.

I don't have a parabolic antenna for BS.

Ippin web site:
http://www4.nhk.or.jp/ippin/x/2013-04-09/10/15809/

90th anniversary of Omiya Bonsai Village

A bonsai exhibition to commemorate 

the 90th anniversary of Omiya Bonsai Village 

will be held this February at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. 

First part:

February 1 - 6, 2013

Latter part:

February 8 - 13, 2013

Kyuka-en will exhibit bonsai of trident maple (唐楓, to-kaede) 

in the latter part of the exhibition.

Let's visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum and Omiya Bonsai Village 

before, or after, or before & after Kokufu Bonsai Ten.

Flyer of the 90th anniversary exhibition of Omiya Bonsai Village:

87th Kokufu Bonsai Ten

The 87th Kokufu Bonsai Ten 
(国風盆栽展, literally National Style Bonsai Exhibition),
the Salon of bonsai, will be held from February 5 to 12, 2013.

This time, an English information site was made
for the convenience of the visitors from the world.

The 87th Kokufu Bonsai Ten information site:
http://www.bonsai-jp.com/kokufu.html

I hope this site is helpful to you.

Two directions of shohin bonsai

The 38th Gafu-ten (雅風展, literally Style of Grace Exhibition), 

one of Japanese most prestigious exhibitions of 

shohin bonsai (basically tree height less than 20cm) was held in Kyoto 

From January 10 to 13, 2013.

In Tokyo, the 42nd Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten

(全国小品盆栽名品展, National Exhibition of Fine Pieces of Shohin Bonsai),

was held from January 11 to 13, 2013.

As the number tells you, Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten 

has a longer history than Gafu-ten.

While there are many awards in Gafu-ten, 

Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten gives no award to bonsai.

Because NAKAMURA Zeko 

(actor, famous shohin bonsai enthusiast and bonsai potter) 

who was one of the founders of the management body of 

Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten thought that 

bonsai should be open to everybody and 

there shouldn't be judgement on superiority or inferiority 

in a hobby.

The management body of Gafu-ten is 

"All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association" 

(ZenNihon Shohin Bonsai Kyokai, 全日本小品盆栽協会).
http://shohin-bonsai.or.jp/

And the management body of
Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten is
"Japan Shohin Bonsai Association"
(Nihon Shohin Bonsai Kyokai, 日本小品盆栽協会).
http://shohinbonsai.boy.jp/

Their names are really confusing.

But all you have to do is not to learn their names by heart,
but to have an eye for the difference in their styles and tastes.

Displays at the 38th Gafu-ten:  

http://ameblo.jp/minibonsai-asobi/entry-11449000206.html

http://ameblo.jp/sanyama/entry-11446205029.html

http://ameblo.jp/sanyama/entry-11447584612.html

http://ameblo.jp/sanyama/entry-11448259607.html
http://ameblo.jp/sanyama/entry-11449148382.html
http://ameblo.jp/sanyama/entry-11449758819.html

Awarded bonsai at the 38th Gafu-ten:
http://shohin-bonsai.or.jp/blog/information_11/gafu_38.html

Displays at the 42nd Zenkoku Shohin Bonsai Meihin-ten:
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaihajime/entry-11447029935.html
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaihajime/entry-11449260752.html
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaihajime/entry-11449714004.html
http://ameblo.jp/bonsaihajime/entry-11450955884.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11447875503.html
http://ameblo.jp/honobonobon/entry-11448369069.html
http://ameblo.jp/kaientaisyo/entry-11442768953.html
http://hanasakato.exblog.jp/17141895/
http://bonsai-mansion.hatenablog.com/entry/meihinten42

NAKAMURA Zeko (right in the picture) and

MURATA Kyuzo, my grandfather (left in the picture).

usual colors

usual colors is a Japanese short film 

about love of a small family 

described through one pot of bonsai.

All the location shooting for this movie was done in Saitama city.

It will be on at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in February 2013.

Date: February 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 2013

Timetable: 13:00 - (13:30), 14:00 - (14:30), 15:00 - (15:30)

Running time: 20 min

Language: Japanese

Place: Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, lecture room (on the 2nd floor)

Seating capacity: about 60

Admission: free for the movie (300 yen- for the museum)

Ticket: order tickets are distributed from 9:00 each day 

Its creators want to be invited to film festivals outside Japan.

So, it may be on abroad on your invitation...

usual colors - Official Trailer:

usual colors official web site:
http://www.chokumo.com/usualcolors/

OMIYA BONSAI

OMIYA BONSAI is a premium brand of bonsai
and a name of the promotion activity of Omiya Bonsai Village.

Let's visit OMIYA BONSAI website to find
good value information like chartered bus tour to Omiya Bonsai Village
and click Like Button on OMIYA BONSAI facebook page!

OMIYA BONSAI website:
http://www.omiyabonsai.jp/

OMIYA BONSAI - facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Omiyabonsai

大宮盆栽 - facebook:
https://ja-jp.facebook.com/omiyabonsai.jp

Queen of special fiscal screening committees grows bonsai

Renhō, a Taiwanese Japanese journalist and
a member of the Upper House of the Diet of Japan,
grows bonsai.

She tweeted "Have been blooming plum bonsai.
Little by little in the spring. I work hard today!" (translation by Google Chrome).

Her original tweet is as follows:

盆栽の梅が咲いてきました。少しずつ少しずつ春に。今日も頑張ります！ twitter.com/renho_sha/stat…
— 蓮舫さん (@renho_sha) January 7, 2013

Hermès et bonsai

Hey, Louis Vuitton!

Hey, Gucci!

Hey, BVLGARI!

It's your turn to adopt bonsai in your design!

Les Beaux Jours de Bonsaï -  Hermès

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/kidsdream/he1108343k/

Les Beaux Jours de Bonsaï -  Hermès

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HERMES-Black-Multi-Color-AUTHENTIC-SILK-LES-BEAUX-JOURS-DE-BONSAI-SCARF-35X35-/181045301187?pt=US_Scarves_Wraps&hash=item2a27240fc3

Les Beaux Jours de Bonsaï -  Hermès

http://www.theperfectredbox.com/produit-beaux-jours-des-bonsai-by-catherine-baschet-yellow-exc-2783.html

Les Beaux Jours de Bonsaï -  Hermès

http://piwigo.hermesscarf.com/picture?/4515/category/207-1991

Bolide - Hermès

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/please-come-and-see-hermes-in-tokyo-me-230300-7.html

Fine Bonsai: Art & Nature

Dr. Jonathan Singer, who is known also as a
botanical photographic artist,
took pictures of bonsai in Japan and the USA in 2011,
including one ezo matsu spruce of Kyuka-en.

His works were compiled and published as
Fine Bonsai: Art & Nature in 2012.
It is available at Amazon.com.

In a way, this book is his personal anthology and
his criterion to select bonsai is a little different from
those of bonsai exhibitions or awards.
That's why this book is interesting.

DIGITAL DJ Network JAPAN website
introducing Dr. Singer's bonsai pictures:
http://japan.digitaldj-network.com/articles/5733.html

Jonathan Singer Photography:
http://www.jonathan-singer-photography.com/

The picture of ezo matsu of Kyuka-en by Dr. Singer:
http://www.jonathan-singer-photography.com/galleries/bonsai2/content/bonsai2_16374_large.html

Closed days of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in January 2013

January 2013, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is closed on:

1(Tue), 2(Wed), 3(Thu)
10(Thu),
17(Thu),
24(Thu),
30(Wed), 31(Thu)

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

Happy New year! (about A Living Work of Art. BONSAI)

This blog is one of the contents of
the Japan National Tourism Organization official site,
A Living Work of Art. BONSAI.

Writing this blog, I hope you take interest in bonsai in Japan 

and visit Japan.

Or at least, I hope you click Like Button on Bonsai.japan facebook page

and follow @bonsai_japan Twitter.