Spotted in the Wild
Historical Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and RSS posts previously curated by the club (2017–present). Not authored by the club — preserved here since the original source feeds no longer carry this history.
Bonsai techniques: How to thicken a Bonsai trunk by Morten Albek
In this video, Morten Albek talks about techniques and tricks to thicken the trunk of a Bonsai. He also discusses what to do if you only want to thicken the base and maintain the tapering. It is part of a video series…
Thank YOU!
As we step into the season of gratitude, we just want to say thank you. Fifteen years in, Mirai exists because of this community, your support, your curiosity, your commitment to growing alongside us. We’re proud of…
Amazing Juniper Bonsai #trees #juniper #bonsai #inspiration #art #garden
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
A Visit to Hoshu-in Bonsai Garden
The only Zen garden in a Buddhist Temple is located in the Daitoku-ji Temple complex in Kyoto, Japan. It is quite close to the world-famous Daisen-in garden. Now photos are allowed! The Hoshu-in Bonsai Garden which…
Bonus Images
YES I did!…. still in one piece!
Bonsai techniques: Collecting trees from nature (Yamadori) by Harry Harrington
In this video, Harry Harrington talks about collecting Bonsai (Yamadori). He discusses the ethics involved, how to collect, which species are most often collected, when to collect (species specific), which soil,…
Highlights from the 2025 North American Bonsai Pottery Competition
After a long hiatus, the US again has a juried bonsai pottery competition. After an initial pair of events in 2001 and 2002 and a follow-up in 2015, we now have an updated competition sponsored by the American Bonsai…
A Visit To Daiju-en Bonsai Garden– The Suzuki Family Pine Bonsai Dynasty– Pioneers Of Black Pine Bonsai
Today we visited the Daiju-en Bonsai Garden of Toru Suzuki, third generation bonsai artist. Saichi Suzuki (1902 – 1991) Toshinori Suzuki (1925 – 2007) Toru Suzuki (1954 – Takuya Suzuki (1984 – The Suzuki family is one…
Bonsai Care App walkthrough
If you are using the Bonsai Care App, or consider giving it a try, make sure to watch this short video where we explain all its features! With the app you can finally keep track of your trees, and record their…
The 2025 45th Japan Bonsai Taikan Exhibition– Part 3 Kunio Kobayashi Bonsai Demonstration
For me the highlight of this exhibition was the bonsai demonstration by Kunio Kobayashi on Saturday morning from 10am to Noon, EXACTLY. The admission charge for this exhibition is less than US$10. This time, like last…
The 2025 45th Japan Bonsai Taikan Exhibition– Part 2
The exhibition opened today at 8:45am with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Unlike other openings only two short welcoming speeches were made, in Japanese of course. Then we proceeded with cutting the ribbon welcoming…
Formal Upright White-out Exercise: Part II
Part I was a white-out exercise with an Ezo Spruce, asking, which branches would you cut off, if any? Thanks to all of you who offered your favorite options. It’s a complicated tree with a lot of possibility and many…
Bonsai techniques: Branch selection and preventing inverse taper by Bjorn Bjorholm
In this video, Bjorn Bjorholm talks about branch selection and how to prevent inverse taper in a bonsai. It is part of a video series to celebrate Bonsai Empire's 25th anniversary. Bonsai Empire began in 2000 as a small…
The 2025 45th Edition of the Japan Bonsai Taikan Exhibition
The 45 th edition of this national level exhibition is being held on November 21-23, 2025 at the Miyako Messe in Kyoto, Japan. This is one of my favorite exhibitions in Japan because the bonsai are commonly displayed…
A Visit To Kunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-en Bonsai Museum
On the way to Kyoto for garden tours and the major Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibition this coming weekend, we stopped and enjoyed the warm hospitality of Mr. & Mrs. Kunio Kobayashi at their Bonsai Museum. Located in the…
My Second Visit to Omiya Bonsai Village & More
Masahiko Kimura Studio Today’s tour was visitation to the private studio of Masahiko Kimura, the great and innovator of unusual, fine bonsai. His garden is always changing and on today’s visit I noticed a great number…
Bonsai trees #bonsaiindonesia #surabaya #bonsai
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
Aqua Bonsai #bonsai #water #indoorbonsai #diy
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
My First Visit to the Omiya Bonsai Village… this trip, but not the last.
Kora Dalager, my tour organizer and leader, Dave Steele and I arrived last week to attend the 100 th Anniversary of Omiya Bonsai Village ceremony last week, before our formal tour begins tomorrow. Dave and I had a…
100th Anniversary Omiya Bonsai Village Commemorative Ceremony
After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, which leveled the region, bonsai artists in the destroyed Tokyo needed to relocate. They selected an area near Omiya, north of Tokyo with clean air, good water and among a grove…
Japanese Maple Bonsai maintenance
Learn how to prune and repot your Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) bonsai in this video. Oscar shows how to maintain and improve maples, and in this video you see the progress made over the course of 2 years time.…
Formal Upright White-out Exercise: Part I
A white-out exercise is a fun way to explore design options. It helps see a new design without needing to cut off a branch. This Ezo Spruce was designed in 2016 and has since filled out. It’s a skinny-trunked tree, and…
Join us Behind the Branch: Ponderosa Pine | Live Nov 18th at 4PM PST
Join us for the next Behind the Branch as Ryan explores a new subject—the Ponderosa Pine. With its rugged bark, sweeping lines, and expressive character, this tree offers a rare glimpse into design, proportion, and…
Penjing #chinese #art #bonsai #trees #garden #china
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses