Classic American Shimaku over 40 years in development.

bonsaishane

This Shimpaku has been in training in a container for over 40 years. The tree is a collected California Juniper with grafted shimpaku foliage.

When my client purchased the tree on 2001, it was in fair health but had not been repotted for many years. The branches where simple in arrangement without a lot of secondary branchwork, as were many of the bonsai created from this era.

My goal in working with this tree is to preserve the original artist design, while working the foliage in a more contemporary fashion. The first step was to repot the tree which was done in 2002. Second all the branches were wired and spread to allow maximum lighting to each in 2003. In 2004 and 2005 the tree was allowed to grow in the interior sections and pinched very lightly a few times. These photo show the tree as it appears today after a light wiring and trimming.

The new image is well on its way to completion, but will need a couple more years to fill in voids. After this the branch structure will be compacted placing more importance of the shari and jin.

Sorry I do not have a photo of the tree as purchased, but I do think you can get an idea the purchased appearance from the 2003 photo. A before photo is not really important though, as this is not a restyling. While restyling could be done and major changes performed, I feel it is important to keep the original design. The original artist, in my opinion, created many of the best bonsai in the USA, which have become historic pieces.

Attached Images

	shimpaku current front.JPG (71.8 KB, 108 views)
	driftwood closeup.jpg (34.8 KB, 40 views)
	rear corner.jpg (53.6 KB, 75 views)
	possible new front.jpg (26.4 KB, 63 views)
	2003.JPG (22.2 KB, 97 views)

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bonsaial1

Ishii
or....
Nogatoshi?

Awesome tree BTW...

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bonsaikc

Shane, thanks for posting your work. Fantastic job on a spectacular specimen!

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soonami

I have to say that I kinda like the original styling, the sparseness of the branches is nice. That said, you have done great work to the tree and I'm sure your client is very happy with what you have done

Thomas_J.

Hi Shane,
If I understand correctly, even though you now have an abundance of foliage, you'll still be shooting for the 2003 look more or less? If that's right,
I also would do the same thing. For my taste it's important to show the full movement of the trunk, and especially at the first curve from the bottom up.
The full foliage pic that seems to be hiding that bend, (pic#1) draws my eye straight to the long straight trunk below it. The 2003 pic shows a nice movement trunk with foliage that needs a little catching up, which is what happened in the two years since then. Will be nice to see it when it's finished.
Good Work.

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Thomas J.

bonsaishane

Actually the tree was aquired from Mr. and Mrs. Hatanaka.

bonsaishane

Hi Thomas,
You bring up several good points. I will try to explain shpaing plan.

Thomas_J.

Shane,
Thanks a lot for the indepth explation, not only for me but for everyone else who I'm sure will benefit from it. It's too bad everyone here can't see your work in person because these 2-D pics just sometimes don't do justice.
Hope to be seeing more of your work over the course of time.

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Thomas J.