BONSAI SCULPTURE BY NATURE

California Juniper collected by Harry Hirao, probably in the late 1970's. My first teacher, Bob Kato of Belmont CA bought it from Harry, It sat in Bob's yard and he never did any work on it. Bob passed on in 1986.
Bob bought the pot from an importer probably about the time he bought the juniper, and never used it. I guess he just liked the way it looked on the shelf.
A couple of years after Bob died, his widow decided to start selling some of the bonsai and pots. I jumped at the oppportunity as I had always admired both tree and pot.
As I said in the title, it's sculpture by nature. NO carving has been done on the trunk. Only cleaning out rotted areas, and breaking the top jins to shorten it a little so as to fit in my truck.
The most unique thing about the tree is the 360 degree twist in the trunk. The lifeline starts in the front at the base, goes around and comes out at the top, back in the front. I think this is fairly rare.
Today I've been doing some trimming and wiring. My goal is a bunjin appearance.

PS, the height of the tree from the pot rim is about 41 inches.

Nice spider web you have there

Outstanding Mike!
The Pot and tree go well together.
Irene

Hi Mike.
Really very impressive, beautiful tree with a history. Congratulations!

Pavel

A truly exceptional and world class Bonsai. The icing on the cake is mother nature sculpting this tree. Simply takes my breath away......

Ravi

Mike. Just love it when I hear/see tree that has been passed on to others over 30-40 yr. span in USA. Us keeping these trees alive(longevity)is our greatest strength and accomplishment. Passing the torch to others really what we do in life in the end anyway(rememberence)Great sadness when I hear about bunch of Juniper carcass hiden behind some "Dremel King's" shed. Beauty in that tree is it telling us its story. You are a good man Mike. Hope our paths cross again. Dustin Mann

Thanks to all for your very kind words.

Mike

Top drawer as always Mike...

Pat…mounted on my trusty stead, riding off wildly in all directions…

Like the tree a lott.
The pot though I think is wrong.
Looks to smouth and clean for a very twisty tree, tyo shallow aswell.
Am I the only one that gets this feeling?

Peter