Looking back….we can tell a tree’s story…..admire an image…..capture a moment…..remember a special event…..be inspired – to create a memory for tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy this regular peep into some of John’s bonsai history.
Memory Lane – Juniper Ittogawa…..”The Elbow”
In my recent blog on the “Stag” I said I didn’t go overboard with naming my trees and then hear we are talking about “The Elbow”……in this instance I feel the name is really appropriate and announces well-deserved individuality.
When the tree arrived from Japan in 2006 it caught my eye immediately……and so did the price tag……this was a serious Juniper.
I didn’t buy him straight away and the tree was reserved by someone else. Later in the summer I was given a second chance to acquire the tree. This time there was no hesitation.
The tree was displayed in a tokonome setting at our 2nd Newstead bonsai extravaganza in September 2006.
Here it was selected to be exhibited in Belgium at the 6th Ginkgo Bonsai Award in September 2007 and is pictured in the book commemorating the event.
It is hard to believe that this tree was created by grafting a young Ittogawa sapling onto a section of an old yamadorii Juniper. You have the best of both worlds….ancient deadwood and tight easily managed/refined foliage.
To the right the tree is seen eyeing up his new pot in May 2007.
The tree also featured in our “Introduction to Bonsai” DVD.
Having successfully grafted young Ittogawa onto old garden Junipers myself I can appreciate more and understand just how trees like the Elbow are created.
The pictures above show exhibition preparation work in progress during 2007 and highlight the tree’s deadwood.
2008 and the tree was displayed again at our third Newstead event but then again he had to because he was the model for the specially crafted slate/bronze trophies!
The following year a client expressed serious interest in the tree and so a commercial decision had to be made and the tree was sold. I still miss his presence on the nursery but hope my client has enjoyed him as much as I did and that he continues to flourish.