Please read the guidelines carefully before posting your entries.
The emphasis in this contest is learning and teaching as much as the finished result. All aspects of literati are encouraged from "finished" literati that you show us how you maintain the tree over the year to new nursery stock just starting on it's journey.The emphasis in this contest is learning and teaching as much as the finished result at the end of the contest. The scoring will reflect that by about half the points awarded for participation by either learning or teaching so keep that in mind if you are interested in the hundreds of dollars of prizes on offer
Pup Stymie and Leigh have generously offered their time to help Run and Guide us through this endeavour.
It is important to show the utmost respect to any views put forward by them otherwise it may become difficult for them to guide us.
After reading the guidelines please post your starting pictures for your entry/entries in separate threads in the division you believe it belongs in. The judges will let you know if they disagree with the classification and their decision is final.
Guidelines
This contest is run to further our understanding and skills in creating and refining the Literati Bunjin style. As such the rules are a guide for us and the moderators/judges on how to rule and participate but the judges decision is final. As the aim is to learn how to create and maintain great literati bunjingi it is important to allow a wide range of material and discussion to show examples of what can be created with various stock. This is about Literati, Bungingi the trees and their transformation as much as the contestants. Discussion is encouraged.
The judges will decide on the winning entries by taking into account the guidelines and what has been accomplished in the year with chosen stock as well as what has been learnt or taught by the contestant in the process. As much as the final result of the submission.
There are two divisions with guidelines for contestants and judges below.
New stock consisting of.
Collected stock
Nursery Stock including pre-bonsai from specialist nurseries. Any mass produced pre-bonsai is allowed including pre-staked trees. The term mass produced relates to trees that have been given minimum individual styling consideration by the nurseryman. A picture of the upper limits of what is allowed will be shown for reference.
The trees should be acquired before the start date of the contest with full details of the acquisition including such things as date, place, cost involved and reason for the use of said stock.
It should have never been in a bonsai pot before the contest and a bonsai pot is optional at the end of the contest.
Aged styled stock
This is trees that have received individual styling considerations for any period of time whether in the literati style or not. It can be a finished tree that only needs refining and or maintenance or it could be a tree that needs a new direction. The trees may have been owned by other than the current owner but ownership at the start of the contest and for the duration of the contest must be the entrants. Full history off the tree should be given where possible.
The trees may or may not be in a bonsai pot at the start of the contest but will need to be in an appropriate pot at the end of the contest.
For all divisions
Once the tree is entered in the contest all work must be done by the entrants hands (including photo’s) but instruction by outside parties is acceptable and encouraged as long as full disclosure is given with explanation of why advice was sought and explanations given. Detailed progressive description of work carried out and why will be looked upon favourably (in both divisions) in the judging process.
Entries are limited to 2 entries in each division. Submissions may start from the 1st of November 09 and final entries must be submitted by the 1st of December 09. Entries must include all details listed above in the appropriate division. Work on the tree must not commence before photo entries are submitted. The finished entry must be submitted with all details and photos by the 31st of December 2010 stating that it is a completed submission.
The judges will separately give each entry a score out of 100 as stated taking all the guidelines into account such as Information of the tree supplied, Progressive reports with explanations, constructive discussion, progression in understanding, passing on knowledge to the group as well as the final result of work carried out.
Prizes!!!
At the moment we have a prize pool for each division of $100 voucher for Ledenta Bonsai Nursery and a commissioned pot from Brett
We also have 15 fertiliser baskets and 20 quality bonsai labels/tags to give out. Bodhidharma has kindly donated a set of Japanese branch cutters and trimming shears. Anybody wishing to add items to the prize pool should contact Steven, Bretts or FlyBri via PM.
Thanks to all the sponsors!
taking the top half of trees of since 2005! 
