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 year several bonsai demonstrations were presented by the top level bonsai artists, which was an extra $20 admission charge, and well worth the cost. A free workshop for the first 30 people took place too. Famous bonsai artists, about ten of them were the instructors.
Last week during our visit to Kunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-en Bonsai Museum I watched as he prepared his demo tree, which “was” quite large with a hefty trunk and thick plated dark bark. The Japanese black pine was originally from Takamatsu, the pine bonsai capital of the world. Mr. Kobayashi mentioned that he only purchased the tree last week at one of Mr. Morimae’s frequent auctions held at his large bonsai complex. When Mr. Kobayashi bid on this tree all the Chinese buyers kept raising their bids because it must be a good tree if Mr. Kobayashi wanted it. Well, Mr. Kobayashi won the tree and went for over the value. But he said, after I shape the tree it will be worth a small fortune.
He was assisted four apprentices and graduate apprentices who came to assist their teacher. Former student Jin Yasufumi is the curator of Mr. Kobayashi’s museum and speaks excellent English, and knows bonsai too. Both of these talented artists kept a fast-moving program and all questions were answered in both Japanese and English. They both have a friendly personality and worked well together, including some humor too.
I have seen quite a number of bonsai demonstrations around the world and seen the best artists create magic with their trees. I have to truthfully state that I did not leave the demo room for two hours. Even Mr. Kimura’s many times watched demos could not keep me in the room. Last year Shinji Suzuki also presented one of the finest programs I’ve seen, but did get up a few times.
People were captivated with the use of two different size chainsaws to eliminate unneeded branches and roots too. We use Sawzall reciprocating tools at home, especially to quickly reduce root balls, then refine the roots using common bonsai tools.
Just as he was finishing shaping the bonsai he asked the audience what shape container would look good for is new bonsai and enhance its beauty. Well, Mr. Kobayashi had the perfect container hidden in back and was all prepared for planting. In only 30 minutes his army of assistants removed the four-man size bonsai, drastically prune the roots, transplant the tree, repositioned the tree s few times according to Mr. Kobayashi’s instructions and even covered the complete soil surface with fresh, prepared bright green moss. He did not feel this was too much stress for the tree since it has an abundance of fine feeder roots and he will protect it this coming winter.
That was one of the best two-hour learning sessions I’ve experienced and enjoyed. After visiting the men’s room at the conclusion, and I did wash my hands before congratulating Mr. Kobayashi for his stellar presentation.
