A Living Work of Art.BONSAI: 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