The 42nd Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibition opens in a few hours from now at 9am, Friday November 25 and will continue through Monday, November 28, 2022. The event is being held at the Miyako Messe in Kyoto, Japan. This is one of the largest and most famous bonsai exhibitions in Japan.
Today, Thursday was set up and judging day. A new change this year is the alcove display backgrounds are black, not the usual light green. The yellow is still being used, however. This was my first shoot with a black background so I’m still learning how to photograph, I need Joe Noga for a distance learning session tomorrow. Hopefully the next photos will can be improved.
As the vendors were setting up the professional photograph for the commemorative album were being taken. At 2pm the judging was supposed to begin, but it rather started earlier at 1:30pm. This is the direct opposite of “Greek Time” which usually begins almost an hour after the opening.
Again, I’ve honored again for the third time to be on the judging panel. This year I noticed that the judges were actually bonsai artists and head of the numerous Japanese bonsai organizations. In the morning the top two, three or four examples were selected in the morning for the final judging in the afternoon. They were classified as large, medium and small evergreen, deciduous and satsuki. There were also sections for rock plantings. literati and shohin bonsai compositions. Finally, there were three categories for suiseki: daiza, water basins and figure stones. For the first time there was a three way tie for an award. So we voted again with the same result. However, on the third time voting we had winner. Actually, any of the selected bonsai were beautiful and are award worthy, and most received one of the numerous awards.
Fortunately, I was able to get a few photos without the crowds today, tomorrow will be more difficult until late afternoon. On both Friday and Saturday, I’ll be leading a walk thru of the exhibitions in English. I hope to be able to improve my photography. More coming tomorrow.
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