how mature must be a tree, that can say he has mochi komi?

Hello people, my Larix "Big Bertha" almost without a wire corset, only the tree crown has wire. This Larix was at the Noelanders Exposition 2010.
My question to you, how mature must be a tree, that can say he has mochi komi.

Hi Karl. Bertha is a very interesting tree. Nice work. I don't know who mochi komi is ( sounds like "much humor" to me.. ). If you ask how much of an aged endured appearance a tree should display to be considered mature on a high level, I'd expect a nice mature (ramified) tapered structure of the trunk as well as the branches and the quality of the branch bark consistent with the allover quality of the trunk bark.
I'd also expect tapered and "worked out" jins as well as sharis that carry over several layers. Also, there would be no scars on the tree, unless it is a focal point of the composition and matches the natural occurrence of the varity. The nebari would reflect maturity in appearing stable and solid. Something like that.

-dorothy

Mochikomi
A standard term to refer to the years of cultivation of a bonsai tree. It means the years of cultivation as bonsai in a pot. For example, one expression is that '''Mochikomi' is old.'' This is a description of a bonsai tree that brews a sense of antiquity and rich taste on its trunks and branches after being grown in a pot for a long period of time. A bonsai tree that is cultivated in a pot for a long period will naturally have a sense of elegance. Its trunks and branches brew a sense of the traditional Japanese aesthetics of ''wabi'' and ''sabi.'' So, whether ''mochikomi'' is old or not will decide the value of the tree.

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Cosmos

cosmos wrote:Mochikomi
A standard term to refer to the years of cultivation of a bonsai tree.
Cosmos

Not were my bonsai grow!
Cheers,
Hans van Meer.

cosmos wrote:Mochikomi
A standard term to refer to the years of cultivation of a bonsai tree. It means the years of cultivation as bonsai in a pot. For example, one expression is that '''Mochikomi' is old.'' This is a description of a bonsai tree that brews a sense of antiquity and rich taste on its trunks and branches after being grown in a pot for a long period of time. A bonsai tree that is cultivated in a pot for a long period will naturally have a sense of elegance. Its trunks and branches brew a sense of the traditional Japanese aesthetics of ''wabi'' and ''sabi.'' So, whether ''mochikomi'' is old or not will decide the value of the tree.

translated by Kyodo News

Cosmos

Mochikomi----bonsai forgotten to be repot.


Mochikomi practitioner---lazy bonsaist who hates repot.


regards,
jun

Karl,
You asked an excellent,serious and sincere question. The answer may not be the same, even for those with an understanding of the term. In my opinion, the Bonsai has relaxed and grown comfortable with its training and has embraced its form.
The affection and care it has received seem to radiate from the tree.
Guy wires, wired branch's and visible grind marks in deadwood are things that do not work with this high form for me.
Best Regards,
Mark

Mochikomi- (simple description for the not so serious guy like me): matured bonsai.



regards,
jun (sorry no serious Emoticons)

A strong clue to a mature bonsai is the bark quality over the whole tree. If the trunk has mature bark and the new leader has immature bark, the the tree will lack maturity. From the photograph of Big Bertha, this appears to be the case her. The real cure is time, but Colin Lewis in one of his books suggests placing sphagnum moss around the immature bark to help age it.

From my understanding of the term "Mochikomi" the actual age is not as important as the establishment and careful loving care the bonsai has received.

For example there are numerous large, recently collected bonsai which are quite aged, mostly with large dead wood often displayed. However, in spite of their great age lack "Mochkomi" which the bonsai does not display.

On the other hand one can have a small tree, started and trained from seed or cutting for 20 years and it might exhibit "Mochikoki" because of how it has been established and carefully tended for in a container. Although not that important by that point the bark will begin to show the aged appearance.

I believe the soil surface should show a complete moss covering, like all the bonsai at Kokufu Bonsai Ten have and be completely covered with moss. The method of applying moss is very important too. If recently applied, it should not appear as to be freshly done.

Just my thoughts today. . . .

Bill