Thanks Rudi. I've got more to post too but just trying to upload when I get a chance.
Japan is an amazing place. I've found the culture of the people there is always about the greater good and less concerned with themselves which is really refreshing. Such a culturally rich place that I'd highly recommend to anyone thinking of travelling to. Very safe too. Plus the dollar is getting stronger so it's not a bad time to travel there.
Thanks for the extra pics Scott, how was the study at Aichi-en? The Tanaka's are great people so i can only imagine that you had a great time with them!
Did you work on many trees? Any pics of your handy work?
...Might as well face it, I'm addicted to Shohin...
"Any creative work can be roughly broken down into three components- design, technique and materials. Good design can carry poor technique and materials but no amount of expertise and beautiful materials can save poor design". Andrew McPherson - Furniture designer and artist
Joe the 2 weeks at Aichi-en was amazing! Not only being so close to so many amazing trees day in day out but the learning experience provided by Peter and Mr Tanaka was invaluable. It was basically all things bonsai whether wiring, needle plucking, field growing discussions, pottery, visiting other nurseries, seeing trees get prepared for showing or sale, going to a professionals bonsai auction, just everything.
I've learnt so much and so many different techniques and tricks. I also look at my own trees very differently now and have just bought a couple of black pines that I want to use some of the techniques I've learnt on.
I've been to Japan before as a tourist but this was so much more. Actually living with Mr Tanaka and his lovely family, eating all meals with them and basically being part of their family for 2 weeks is something I'll not forget very soon and I will definitely be going back.
One of the future bright stars of the bonsai world is Peter Tea. He is such a nice bloke and his teaching style is great. Very knowledgeable.
I've got pics of the trees I worked on and the nursery that I'll put up into another post soon.
No worries Craigw. Most people will only see these trees in the Kokufu-ten book so showing some photos hopefully gives a greater insight into some trees in Japan.
Draich, any trip to Japan leaves you feeling a little flat on your own trees but I look at it now that in about 100 years anything is possible! The nursery in Nagoya where I stayed is 4th generation and the trees look amazing now but they all started somewhere. I just hope my great, great, great grand kids have the bonsai bug too!
Here's some more from Kokufu.
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