The Art of Bonsai Project

This thread is for discussion of Attila Soos' critique of "The Dancing Crane."

Excellent critique Attila. I enjoy the overall look of this tree, but I believe that the visual flow is interrupted by the down-hanging foliage. The artist's proposed planting angle and branch placement solves this problem.
Regards,
Charles

If I had to name one benefit of virtual bonsai, that would be the illustration of different pot choices.

I think Mike Hagedorn mentioned in his journal from Japan one instance when the master Yasuo Mitsuya and his apprentices went through a great deal of trouble repotting a large tree into a new pot just to realize after many hours of labor that the pot choice did not work.

With large trees like this one, finding the perfect fit is not an easy task.
It is interesting to hear all the often diverging opinions about this tree and the choice of pot. Usually I trust my original feeling about a tree and pot choice. And it's hard to change that first impression.

But in this case, as I read through the conflicting recommendations, I am realizing that my opinion has changed (learning?). I like William's idea of a simple round pot with slanting sides.

I found a few moments to make a virtual of how a bonsai like this juniper could be artistically improved.


Note the change in trunk angle and the new container. I also refined the folige a bit too.

Bill

I find both pots just a little too much. While the tree is graceful and the shari delicately refined, would an elegan nanban pot be inappropriate here? With the new planting angle and properly arranged foliage, I would like to see one aspect of this tree that is not "perfect."

Vast improvement. The tree has better flow and over all looks more comfortable. I would make two more changes. The color of the pot is too red for this tree. The pot is very nice, but would not draw as much attention if it were dark brown. The low jin almost completes a triangle with the foliage. If it were shortened it would be more of a hint than the full picture and leave more room for the eye to wander and discover. It is amazing what careful fine tuning will do for a tree.
Mark Arpag

Just for comparison purposes, here is the tree as collected material five years ago.
As you can see, bringing the foliage to the delicate and refined shape needed to complement the elegant trunk is no small task. The starting point was very sparse, almost non-existent. But under "domesticated" conditions and a good feeding regime, the California juniper becomes a strong and prolific grower.