400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

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Redsonic
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400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Redsonic »

The owners of the bonsai plead for the thieves to water the trees correctly.
It was one of several stolen with a total value in the hundreds of thousands:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-12/ ... a/10804984

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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Ryceman3 »

Damn...
I have a couple of trees that are 4 years old I’m kinda attached to, it would be a complete bummer if they got nicked. I guess that’s almost the same thing... :crybye: :o
Seriously, I have no clue how to cope with that - but care instructions is a start, and maybe some kickass video surveillance installed might be on the cards?
Crazy... hope they get ‘em back!
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Rory »

The fact that the thieves hand picked the best from 3000 trees means they'll never get them back. That is horrific.

If you have trees worth that much, you would hope they'll have a huge metal cage around the best ones in future.
Its reasons like this you wish Bonsai were worthless to the public. Priceless to us though. But that is so sad.
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Gerard »

I installed video surveillance about six months ago but damage to trees by neglect or attempting to change the appearance would still be a concern. I prefer to tell the world that it is there and hope thieves are deterred.
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by KIRKY »

Don’t see the point in surveillance cameras doesn’t deter the buggers these days they just cover up :x
I let my German Shepherd do all the talking :twisted:
Worked really well when the Airbnb 60-100 visitors next door wanted to climb over the fence late at night. :evil: never saw men move so fast to get back on their side of the fence :evil: She came in later with such a grin, she likes smelly pants! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by bodhidharma »

Very, very unusual for something to be stolen in Japan, especially Bonsai. When i was there Bonsai just sat in front gardens, in parks and sidewalks. If they catch these people they will be hung out to dry.
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Rory »

KIRKY wrote:Don’t see the point in surveillance cameras doesn’t deter the buggers these days they just cover up :x
I let my German Shepherd do all the talking :twisted:
Worked really well when the Airbnb 60-100 visitors next door wanted to climb over the fence late at night. :evil: never saw men move so fast to get back on their side of the fence :evil: She came in later with such a grin, she likes smelly pants! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Ryceman3 »

I met your dog Kirky, she was an angel, albeit a fairly spirited one!!
Then again I wasn’t climbing over your fence, and I’m not sure about my pants at the time but I think it was all good!? :whistle:
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by KIRKY »

Your welcome to come over and test “Angle” out anytime...... :twisted: just make sure to bring a change of pants. :lol: :lol: :lol: She’s got grumpier as she’s got older. She was only about 13 months at the time of the fence incident just a pup for a German Shepherd they don’t grow up till they are two :o
How go all your seedlings?
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by Ryceman3 »

The seedlings go well Kirky... I need to update their thread - it’ll happen soon!
I’m more of a “knock on the door” kinda guy, so always happy to say g’day to a “supervised” grumpier angel - whatever doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger! (Spare pants in the car - mental note) :yes:
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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by MJL »

How sh!t that someone would flog a tree like that; would flog any tree for that matter.

That said, given its lineage - it would be hard to sell would it not? Or is there a black market for these - I mean it’s not like you could show it off; someone would pick it for stolen for sure. Wouldn’t they?


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Re: 400 Year Old Bonsai Stolen in Japan.

Post by gnichols »

MJL wrote:How sh!t that someone would flog a tree like that; would flog any tree for that matter.

That said, given its lineage - it would be hard to sell would it not? Or is there a black market for these - I mean it’s not like you could show it off; someone would pick it for stolen for sure. Wouldn’t they?


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That's what I thought. Surely a tree of that age and value has fairly distinguishing markings and would be easily spotted. I have a bunch of crappy pre-bonsai - oldest being about 10 to 15 years old and I'd be devastated if someone pinched them, so I can't even imagine what the owners are going through.

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