Your Opinion of sumo style

Treebeard

Mike, glad you like the trees!

Aaron, yes, the 3rd is the Major Oak. I had to photo montage it, too big to get it all an frame and in focus and correctly contrasted

Incidentally, the first photo is the fourth from the side, same tree.

Hmmm the 'potato sprout style'. I've seen a lot of them on the Japanese bonsai sites, I must admit that although I do like sumo bonsai, I don't like them.

Regards,

Chris.

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PatArizona

I voted "other"...

In my mind's eye, a Sumo Bonsai is a pyramid with some foliage...I know that they do not all look like that, however...in my mind's eye...

Giant sequoia a sumo? Just because it has a 30' diameter trunk? I can't agree with that...

And Chris's Oaks...I'm not sure that they should be considered examples of sumos in nature.

Most sumo's I have seen give me the impression that the artist is striving for a ratio of 1(h) to 1-1/2(w)...or even 1 to 2. To me, this is gross exageration.

If I see a sumo bonsai up close and personal, I will stop and look at it...I might even take a picture of it...but, not in my collection.

However, on a more positive note...gross exageration is something we as "artists" are intitled to...so, if you want to do sumo, have at it.

Mike, I have seen pictures of some of your sumos, and I really do appreciate the effort and skill that you have put into them. Maybe one on one, up close and personal, you would be able to change my mind...who knows?

Given, there are examples of sumos in nature...most, if not all, of them being tropicals.

Just an old man spouting off again...

Have a good day...

THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid!

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THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Treebeard

Hi Pat,

If you see sumo in your mind as basically triangular in shape then certainly the examples I posted do not fit... but, I have seen and photographed such triangular examples, I just can't find the photos .

I see what you're saying, but I think that 'normal' braches on sumo bonsai fit pefectly. They add to and enhance the impression of mass given by the trunk. Skinny branches on fat trunks also somehow enhance the aged look.

Attached is my best approximation of a sumo. This is the favourite bonsai in my collection.

Regards,

Chris.

Attached Images

DSC01769.jpg (58.6 KB, 62 views)

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Attila

Yes, and my childred insist that I watch the cartoons with them. So, I know them all. They have wonderful trees though, it's definitely worth watching them for someone who is interested in creating interesting bonsai. With today's technology, if you have the DVD version, you can stop any frame on your computer and print the screen for inspiration.

Chris,
your sumo has a decent first branch. If it was about 30% thicker on the lower portion it would be perfect to my taste. The base of the brach has the old-looking bark similar to the bark on the trunk, and that's a great feature. It makes the tree look so much more mature.

Thin branches on sumo trees enhance the power of the trunk, but they look separate from them. They don't seem to be part of the trunk, neiter seem to be in the same age category. You can tell that they were grown way after the trunk was finished. To me, that is a big turn-off. They should look like they grew together with the rest of the tree: they should have the appearance of naturalness.

malhomme

"Big bottomed girls you make the world go 'round..."-Jim

Dale Cochoy

I LOVE Sumo bonsai.
I find they are wonderful examples of bonsai styling and the art, and great examples of a growers skills, including horticultural skills.
Do they look like trees in nature, nope most not, but then again...how many bonsai do, really. That is often not our goal,at least it hasn't for me, just like ceramic or stone sculptures of people don't always look like people, or paintings of people don't always look like people ( Picasso who?).
Here's a couple I'm working on:
1. a Green Island Ficus,
2. A large Ginkgo I collected,
3. A smaller chi-chi Ginkgo I brought back from Japan,( BTW, I LIKE the lower branches coming off trunk and how it's filled out when fully leafed )
4. A Chinese imported Trident Maple I started not long ago.
Dale

Attached Images

	gi ficus frnt.jpg (60.5 KB, 53 views)
	ginkgo frnt.jpg (59.9 KB, 48 views)
	ginkgo my pot.jpg (55.0 KB, 54 views)
	ginkgo my pot other side.jpg (49.6 KB, 38 views)
	Trident sumo fall 05.jpg (61.6 KB, 47 views)

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Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

mike_p

Hey Dale!! Good show

Mike

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Treebeard

Great sumos, Dale! I especially like the second ginkgo.

Regards,

Chris.

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"Do not be hasty, that is my motto"
-JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers.
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Daytonabonsai

Ill tell you what , Ive noticed that people either love sumo style or absolutly hate it . People can grow to like it , but once your a sumo fan , thats it . I have found that my collection is either sumo (4 to1 , 3 to 1 , or even 1 to 1) or BUnjin . I have had to start conciensiously bringing a lot of trees at shop up to 6 to 1 for typical ratios since most of my stuff is too fat for some purists . Its very interesting to see two different able artists with totally different veiws on what the perfect height to thickness ratio is . Since others showed their beautiful trees (great Dale and Treebeard!), I figured id show the pigs I got , please excuss the red . Jason

Attached Images

	My little ilex.jpg (48.5 KB, 28 views)
	hibiscus.jpg (55.9 KB, 31 views)

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