Most expensive bonsai contest :)

[Bonsai Nut]

Just for fun, I thought I'd go looking for the most expensive bonsai that I could find currently for sale over the Internet. Here's a nice little juniper listed for $188,000 (23,000,000 Yen) at Seikou-En bonsai nursery. Let's see if anyone can find a bonsai listed for more! (yes, they take Visa and MC)

[buddhamonk]

I could sell my house and buy that - but i'd have nowhere to keep it...

[Bonsai Nut]

When I look at a tree like this, it adds another aspect to the question "how much does it cost to own a world class bonsai". Imagine if you had a tree of this quality. Maybe some of you do. I'm not sure how you'd sleep at night wondering if you remembered to water the tree, or whether your security system was turned on, etc. What would you do if you went on vacation for a couple of weeks?

[grouper52]

I believe your entry into the contest no longer qualifies, as I have now purchased it. (LOL)

Fascinating several recent posts, Nut!

grouper52

[Rick Moquin]

Originally Posted by BonsaiNut

When I look at a tree like this, it adds another aspect to the question "how much does it cost to own a world class bonsai". Imagine if you had a tree of this quality. Maybe some of you do. I'm not sure how you'd sleep at night wondering if you remembered to water the tree, or whether your security system was turned on, etc. What would you do if you went on vacation for a couple of weeks?

Greg,

It is merely trump change to folks that own trees of this quality and price, . Albeit, it always hurts when loosing a tree whether it be by negligence, theft or bad luck. Without batting an eye, the individual would just go out and acquire another one.

These two pines were acquired at an auction in Japan: The first went for 180K and the second 330. Both were acquired by the same collector.

As pointed out to us it is large sums of money, to these collectors trump change. As discussed what is the price of a world class bonsai priceless to some or what one is willing to pay.

The latter category is one is mentioned in one of Walter's post. The collectors! They may not need to know how to create them but know good trees when they see them. They acquire the trees and have them cared for by establish nurseries. Therefore, one need not worry about watering or theft. The nurseries are insured and they have competent staff to look after the trees needs.

On the other hand, IMO this is not bonsai it is art collection, let me expalin. We may all salivate in envy over such trees, when we know these trees are out of ones reach, but I believe that something that one works hard towards is more meaningful than something that is acquired like a "cheeseburger to the wealthiest. We appreciate our accomplishments more, that is just my opinion.

Having said that, I wouldn't kick that Juni off my bonsai bench for dropping foliage LOL.

What I was amazed about with these two trees was the evenness of the needles. Someone who definitely knew what he was doing looked after this tree and was extremely capable in spreading its energy.

[grouper52]

Nice post, Rick. This whole arena is a little akin to another one I've known something about for many years, the collection of great violins. The Stads, the Amatis, the Guarnerius del Jesus, etc, worth millions of dollars, are mostly in the hands of collectors or collections of one sort or another. Made of rather tempermental wood, they are quasi "living", and need certain care and use to remain in top form, and the collectors must maintain them, usually through a master repairman they retain. Most collectors play violin more or less, but are seldom great artists, though some great artists do collect. Typically the great players can afford to own a great violin or two, but the up and coming aspiring artists usually cannot touch them at all financially, and so must impress and depend on one of the collectors or other patrons to acquire one that will show off their talent. It's a system that seems to work quite well, meeting everyone's needs for the most part.

The comparisons to bonsai collecting is not that close a fit, of course, since they are not used in a performing art, but they are used in displays from time to time, and a lot of the rest of it is similar. It is probably a good thing that these irreplacable specimens are cared for by someone with an appreciation for the art, and the respect, responsibility and resources necessary to maintain their investment over time.

grouper52

[Will Heath]

Originally Posted by Rick Moquin

The latter category is one is mentioned in one of Walter's post. The collectors! They may not need to know how to create them but know good trees when they see them. They acquire the trees and have them cared for by establish nurseries. Therefore, one need not worry about watering or theft. The nurseries are insured and they have competent staff to look after the trees needs.

There is another breed of collectors as well, Candy Shirely is the first that comes to my mind. She has purchased some amazing trees, tress that she likes and sees as being worthy of her collection. She cares for them herself and they reside with her, not in a nursery.

Both types of collectors are a very important part of the art form, America seems to be greatly lacking these valuable patrons of the art when compared to other countries, such as Japan. In Japan, the patrons support the art, by purchasing bonsai, showing the trees and hiring professionals to maintain and service the trees, the economics make sense for artists and other professionals to practice full time.

Originally Posted by Rick Moquin

On the other hand, IMO this is not bonsai it is art collection, let me explain. We may all salivate in envy over such trees, when we know these trees are out of ones reach, but I believe that something that one works hard towards is more meaningful than something that is acquired like a "cheeseburger to the wealthiest. We appreciate our accomplishments more, that is just my opinion.

The two things can not be compared any more than one can compare the artist to the art collector in any other art form. Can one survive without the other? Sure an artist could continue to create to their hearts content without patrons, this is where the term "Starving Artist" comes from. Patrons purchase, show, and sell art and in so doing fund the artist, the service industry, and promotes the art further , creating a demand for more art.

What America is lacking is the service industry, those individuals that maintain and service bonsai for the people who collect them, for the patrons. This industry is missing because of the extreme lack of patrons. Why are the patrons missing?




Will

[Dwight]

Originally Posted by BonsaiNut

Just for fun, I thought I'd go looking for the most expensive bonsai that I could find currently for sale over the Internet. Here's a nice little juniper listed for $188,000 (23,000,000 Yen) at Seikou-En bonsai nursery. Let's see if anyone can find a bonsai listed for more! (yes, they take Visa and MC)

Chump change. That tree might , no , probably will out live the owner/collector with proper care. I recently say documented a koi sale for $300,000 and the dern fish was already eight years opld. Unless the buyer is in his/her 60's the fish definately won't out live the owner. In the koi " hobby " in Japan , like in bonsai , many of the top koi are cared for by professionals and some never live with the owner.

[Rick Moquin]

Will,

I can't disaagree, just not my cup of tea.

[Dwight]

Mine either. Why have something you can't enjoow whenever you want. Kinda like a vacation home. I just don't see the point. As an ameture the idea of bonsai is something for my own personal pleasure so mortaging the house just don't make sense.

BTW , I've never spent more on koi than my wife spends on clothes.