US National Bonsai Exhibition, Sept 8-9, 2018

Adair M said:

The White pine is in a Shuzan. Absolutely top quality. Kokofu-ten quality. The Itoigawa is in an antique Japanese pot that is a copy of an even antiquier Chinese pot. Lol. The small Olive is in an antique Chinese pot. The big Olive is in a contemporary Chinese pot. Of all of them, it’s the least expensive! Even though it is far larger (and large pots aren’t cheap!)

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Mike Hennigan said:

Did anyone else fawn over that massive American Hornbeam forest as much as I did? Was nice seeing that species make it into the show!

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coh said:

This one? One of my favorites in the show. Image from bonsaiempire.com

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Mike Hennigan said:

Did anyone else fawn over that massive American Hornbeam forest as much as I did? Was nice seeing that species make it into the show!

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Mike Hennigan said:

...Wish I could remember who the artist was...

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markyscott said:

Congratulations Bill on another successful National Exhibition. It gets better every time. Thank you for doing this - it’s was an honor for my tree to be involved.

Scott

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derek7745 said:

I am new to the world of pots, but I am starting to really get into it. I have a sincere question:

I have seen 'kokofu-ten quality pot' written a few times here and there, and I was wondering what it is that makes one pot 'kokofu-ten quality' as opposed to another. I am asking because somebody on facebook recently posted a video of kokofu-ten, and i grabbed a few screenshots of some trees or pots that I liked. I attached two example screenshots below. To me, these two pots look like they could easily be Yamafusa and Koyo.

Out of curiosity, can a tokoname pot be 'kokofu-ten quality'?

Also, how does the bonsai national exhibition compare to kokofu-ten with regard to 'pot standards' ? I unfortunately could not make it this year

Thank you!
D

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rockm said:

Felix Laughlin is a bonsai legend in these parts. He has a rather large property outside of D.C. (he's a former senior counsel in a Washington law firm) From what I've heard from people who have been out there, it's pretty spectacular. I think the photo below was taken there.
https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/felix-laughlin-national-bonsai-foundation-president/

I've been itching to get up to the National show forever, but haven't been able to make the time. Envious of everyone who went.

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Adair M said:

At Kokofu, both the tree and the pot have to be accepted for an entry to be in the show. About a month before the actual show, the trees are transported to Toyko where the selection committee can determine its “worthiness”.

You can get rejected even with a fabulous tree if the pot is not up to snuff, and vice versa.

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Adair M said:

I’ve been to Felix’s place in Asheville, NC. He has an absolutely fabulous garden, with a “potting shed” with sliding glass doors that can double as a winter storage area, or triple as a cocktail lounge! It’s absolutely incredible, with incredible trees!

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