BUNJIN HOLLYWOOD

In 1980, Dan Robinson was the headliner at the GSBF convention in Sacramento. Dan's demonstrations involved using a chainsaw to style collected pines. I was mightily impressed with the whole idea. In my collection of unstyled nursery stock, I had a 5 gallon Hollywood juniper. Chainsaw in hand, I attacked the poor tree carving a shari for about half the length of the trunk. I figured it was an experiment and if the tree dies, so be it. The tree lived, so I repotted it. After awhile, I carved a little more, and over time more yet. Each 2 or 3 years I would pot it down Some more, and carve some more

It's been over 30 years since I started the project. I haven't done anymore carving on it for many years. Just the occarional repotting, trimming and wiring. The current height from table to jin apex is about 28 inches.

Yesterday was another repotting. I removed it from the rock it had inhabitied for several years and installed it in this bunjin pot.

BTW, bunjin is my favorite style.

Creative design Mike. the black shadow on the jin is a bit pronounced in the photo.

Can we add this to the flat top discussion - a literati flat top?

Rob Kempinski wrote:Creative design Mike. the black shadow on the jin is a bit pronounced in the photo.

Can we add this to the flat top discussion - a literati flat top?

Sure, add it! All comments welcome. Pro and con!

Hi Mike,

Great carving.......I'd love to see the back of your bonsai and it's lifeline! The top seems to be growing from deadwood and leaves me feeling something is missing.

Thanks,
Norma

Norma wrote:Hi Mike,
The top seems to be growing from deadwood and leaves me feeling something is missing.

Thanks,
Norma

I agree, thats the biggest flaw (in my humble opinion) on this tree.

Peter

landerloos wrote:

Norma wrote:Hi Mike,
The top seems to be growing from deadwood and leaves me feeling something is missing.

Thanks,
Norma

I agree, thats the biggest flaw (in my humble opinion) on this tree.

Peter

That is the usual rule. However, with this tree I choose to break the rule. There is nothing of interest on the back side of the tree.

mike page wrote:

landerloos wrote:

Norma wrote:Hi Mike,
The top seems to be growing from deadwood and leaves me feeling something is missing.

Thanks,
Norma

I agree, thats the biggest flaw (in my humble opinion) on this tree.

Peter

That is the usual rule. However, with this tree I choose to break the rule. There is nothing of interest on the back side of the tree.

I understand, compromises have to be made all the time.

Peter

Bunjin don't just have a "front" and a "back" but more than any other styles, grow in the round. Is there no position for it where the viewer may get at least a glimpse of the live wood?