AusBonsai

http://bit.ly/2y9xrqY

Interesting to see the photos from back then

Wow, thanks Mel.
There are a couple of nice root stands there.

Super! Thanks for sharing, Mel. Many gorgeous trees, rather less rule-bound than what you'd see generally in Japan nowadays. Perhaps more like the penjing we saw demonstrated recently at the NBPCA conference? -- Just a thought.

Lisa

Cheers Watto and Lisa, I am glad you agree it was worth sharing.

There are a couple of nice root stands there.

I was also blown away by those root stands!

rather less rule-bound than what you'd see generally in Japan nowadays

Yes indeed, definitely worth checking out the differences.

I'm finding myself to be quite drawn to some of the penjing I've seen lately...so perhaps that's why I liked seeing these? Wish I'd been able to attend the conference!

dont the trees look sparse compared to now

dont the trees look sparse compared to now

they're certainly less manicured!

And no Bigei pot with Japanese Black Pine on the top shelf of the shohin displays!

although......

Nice bit of nostalgia!

It might be interesting to compare the 1934 trees with a bonsai from 1750. The illustration below could be from an article by Robert Baran, in his wonderful History of Bonsai: Magical Miniature Landscapes. See http://www.magiminiland.org/" oncli ... urn false;

Lisa

Things just keep getting better! Thanks for sharing this Lisa, and now I need to start looking through that link....there goes the next ten years!

Checking out the site under paintings and prints / Japan / Kunisada’s Portrayals no Beigi style pots at all.
A lot of blue and white, florals, shaped more like pot plants that bonsai pots. Seemingly used for all types of trees.
Thanks for sharing Mel, wonder how many of these trees are now world class bonsai? 84 years of styling.
Cheers
Kirky

wonder how many of these trees are now world class bonsai? 84 years of styling.

Great question! It would be very interesting to find out where some of those trees are now!

Yes, I like the spare open look a lot more. Much more elegant. The trunk is much more the focus.

Gavin

Yes, I like the spare open look a lot more. Much more elegant. The trunk is much more the focus.

It's certainly a good little bit of history

LLK wrote:It might be interesting to compare the 1934 trees with a bonsai from 1750. The illustration below could be from an article by Robert Baran, in his wonderful History of Bonsai: Magical Miniature Landscapes. See http://www.magiminiland.org/" oncli ... urn false;

Lisa

Thanks for the historical reference MelB and Lisa... what rabbit hole have you opened up!? I'd better get another coffee this fine morning and explore some more.

The link LLK gave could certainly turn out to be a rainy day filler. I really enjoyed this article written in 1907 which shows an outsider's reactions to seeing miniature trees for the first time.