http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/inspiration.shtml
Here are a few of the latest Kokufu-ten highlights.
For this example's sake, don't look at the pine tree. Look at the Hornbean, the Malus, and Prunus bonsai.
What is Japanese about these trees? The well developed ramification? No, that's not Japanese. The beautiful taper? No, that's universal. The feeling of naturalness? No, natural is not a Japanese brand. The perfect balance?..... bla, bla, bla.
These trees are as close to perfection as a bonsai will ever be. And there is NOTHING Japanese about them. They don't
seem to follow any rules. Each of them is unique, there is no other in the world looking exactly like them. They are interesting and they touch our soul. When I look at them, I don't have the uneasy feeling of artificial, boring, rule-bound cookie-cutter bonsai.
They look fresh, spontaneous and natural. They could have been made anywhere in the world. It just happened that they are made by a Japanese artist.
Your friend who vigorously defends the so called "Japanese style" has no idea about it's true spirit. Therefore, he will never make a truely great bonsai, unless by mere accident.
I think the term "Japanese style" is greatly misunderstood as a rigid set of rules and as a requirement that every tree should be styled in the "pine tree style". It has nothing to do with the truth.
Again, just look at the deciduous trees in the Kokufu-ten link and somebody tell me what is Japanese about them. One single thing that is "Japanese".
(I don't want to talk about the pine because that's a much more complex topic and it would only muddle the issue here).
John, I agree with a lot of things you've said. But I just wanted to address one issue that you raised. It would take a long time to write about all of them.
Best regards,
Attila