AusBonsai

BONSAI BY THE HARBOUR 2017 featuring Koji Hiramatsu

Folks:
Bonsai By the Harbour is on again at the Shore Rowing Shed Gladesville. For the who have not been there before, the shed overlooks Looking Glass Bay and the Parramatta River. Japanese Shohin Master, Koji Hiramatsu is the major drawcard this year along with perennials Ric Roberts, Grant Bowie, Sue Brennan, Brenda Parker, Evan Marsh, Lynette Smith and Chris Allnutt.
Not everything is about Shohin but it is close. Bring your Shohin(and other trees) for the critique (not criticism) by Koji at the Saturday Night BBQ. Workshops are also available with Koji so be early.
Hopefully I will see you there .
Barefoot (they won't let me in with Barefeet)

What about with just one bare foot??

The thought of Grant or Ric going bare is just too horrible to contemplate.

NB: no bears, either.

Gavin

It wil be winter so hopefully the only things we see that are bare deciduous trees
Of course that depends on how much Red wine gets consumed on saturday night :-0

Ken

Koji did a fabulous Shohin demonstration in Omiya, restyling a shimpaku . You had to be there and no live streaming of any of the Shohin demonstrations at the Shohin Central.( a small stage off from the main stage that had Shonin demonstrators working around the clock for 3 days of the conference) The Mame on display at the main show were incredible and have set me a new challenge, black pine 50 mm big with needles 10mm long and base 20 mm across, ginkos under 100 mm big with bases 40/50 mm across.
Come and see what Koji can do with some of our Australian stock.

Mame on display at the main show were incredible and have set me a new challenge

Any pics??? Would love to see anything you photographed of the mame or shohin!

-Climax of the Saitama World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention 2017 was it's emphasis on the smaller sizes of bonsai Shohin and Chohin the exhibition aisles of these were just KNOCKOUT and to see masters like Koji giving hands-on workshop style demos the icing on the Green tea icecream cake !!.
But don't despair you can still come to Bonsai By The Harbour and be part of a whole array of hands-on opportunities to work with Koji himself and begin to create mini masterpieces or improve your already well on the way smaller sized trees.
I was also fortunate along with Grant Bowie to see Kyoto's Koju-en nursery which specialises in these mini wonders and later also a large emphasis on these at Mr Urashibata's nursery near Shizuoka. (here we were also fortunate to meet Mr Taiga Urashibata and to see famous old trees being readied for the Convention show - a hint of the wonders to come ).
It is easy to download and print your flyer and forms for BBTH - just go to earlier posts for these.

Only three weeks to BBTH.
Sorry I am not the best photographer, I shake to much. Go to the 8th world Bonsai convention photos and drool.

BREAKING NEWS.
Lineup change at BBTH brought about by Grant Bowie's sudden illness in Tokyo (Grant is making good progress in Tokyo University Hospital but will not be back for BBTH)
Bonsai Federation of Australia has arranged for well known Suiseki Master Frank Kelly to do a presentation on the subject at very short notice to help fill the gap.
We are most indebted to Frank for fitting this in to his busy schedule which has not permitted us to have him in Sydney before this!

You beauty Shohin and Suiseki just as well I have sent off my rego and cheque.

Only two weeks before the Bonsai by the Harbour. Spend the weekend with Koji working with different people and different stock. Simple food lots of fun with a beautiful back drop. What more can you ask for?

One week today and we will be right amongst the fun bits.

I am looking forward to smaller trees. Much easier to carry but I think a little more involved

Numbers continue to build for Bonsai by the Harbour, even in the last few days. Some new faces this year as there are other opportunities to see Koji do his stuff over the next two weeks. Noel will be there to regale you with his stories on Sunday; Jan Briggs is being welcomed back with open arms; Pat Kennedy is not coming but Lynette is; Ric has a busy schedule for himself this year and many others will be on the stage as well.
Weather forecast looks ok, we're getting the rain tonight instead. To those of you who are coming, enjoy yourselves, catch up with old friends; don't forget the critique on Saturday night. Will you be brushing up on your Japanese?