U.S. vs. Overseas Bonsai...

rockm

Will,

Don't really understand what you're asking. "...Asia for example? Are you saying that we have indeed matched this country with quality?"

Well, Asia is a very big place, so if you're talking Japan, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, S. Korea, Singapore, Philippines, Sumatra, or elswhere, the answer would vary--greatly. If you want me to assign a particular position to U.S. compared to Asia, I'd say halfway between Japan and India, but west of Bhutan

Did anything strike you about the native material in the USNA collection?

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jhill

I thought I would put this link on this post.
Green beans

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PastorJeff

Mike,

Let me first start by saying that it is not my intent to "worry about who does good bonsai, and who is better than who..." It is my intent to look at this question. I have really seen (in my breif time here) some really good stuff to learn from!

And this question came up and really peaked my interest. So I figured that I would ask it. I did not ask it to start any flame wars, rude comments, or step on any testosterone toes (none of this dircted at you mike...in general!).

I really in my heart want to be the best I can be with Bonsai. I really do. Maybe even be good enough to be on the list of those that are the best in the U.S. But I can't do that if I don't ask questions...and even some hard ones.

I guess I want to know this from the conversation that has surfaced so far...What do we (as Americans) need to focus on that will make us better bonsai artists? What is it that we lack?

Hope that clears it up...good discussion!

Jeffrey

John Dixon

Jeffrey,

The answer is to open our minds to everything, but have the good sense to assimilate the good and discard the bad. Once we grasp that philosophy, we are well on our way of improving in skill. It's just as important to know what NOT to do as it is to know what to do. An open mind is the most critical factor in any attempt to learn. If we think we "know it all" already, we will not improve (and likely prove how little we know). I think that as an American, that is what we (Americans) must learn above all else. Probably not a bad idea for the rest of the world too.

Seek out as much knowledge as possible. Listen to instructors, don't just "hear" them speak. If you want to really be the best at anything, you have to commit to the endeavor. A feeble attempt will likely produce a similar result.

Warmest regards,

John

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John Dixon

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mike_p

PastorJeff, my comment wasn't aimed at you. I understand that you are asking questions and seeking answers. My comments are general and reflect my being disturbed and disappointed at the tone of some of the discussions on this and some other forums. This is supposed to be an artistic arena, not a political arena. Lets leave trash talk to the politicians and talking heads.

Regards

Mike

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weeijk

Sorry Jeff, I dont agree. Sure you have potensai but here in Europe we have also lots of it. You just have to look at the sites of Walter Pall, Pius Notter and other European bonsai goeroe´s. Offcourse there are lots of other yamadori collectors.

Why should the mountain area in Europe differ so much from the American??

I think overall that we should learn from eachother and appreciate eachothers trees and respect eachothers thoughts.

thanks Wessel

Attila

Well, if you compare the surface of North America with the surface of Europe, we may have a little edge there, don't you think


(but you're right, Europe has lots of wonderful trees)

Regards,
Attila

dbz12fan

Will,
I do not know if you have seen the private collection of Jim Smith, but I must say that these trees to compete with the quality of the trees in Japan. Yes Andy, I am comparing trees to trees and not displays to displays. I will comment on the poor display and overall attention to detail at taikan-ten at a later time in a different thread. If you are interested in seeing Mr. Smith's collection, his website is www.jimsmithbonsai.com. After spending two weeks in Japan, I came to the conclusion that Jim's trees are equal in quality to most of the Japanese trees, but the only detrimental factor to his trees are the age. Which shows, as I and Carl have stated before, that we still need another 50 or so years to catch up.

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Attila

The good news is that it's easy to tell the difference between a 50 year old and 100 year old pine, but it's not so easy to tell apart a 100 year old from a 150 year old.

So, in 50 years these differences will slowly fade away...

(dang, I will be too old, over 90!)