February 13, 2025 by William N. Valavanis

My Most Unforgettable Trip to Japan

WARNING, this entry is not about bonsai, but rather saga of my trip. So please feel free to skip this entry.

My first trip to Japan was in 1970. Since then I’ve had over 100 trips to Japan which were wonderful but not quite as exciting as this trip. Julian Adams joined me for a relaxing eight-day visit to the 99^th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition with a free schedule to visit the show and take a shuttle bus to the Ueno Green Club, the three-story building full of bonsai and even in the parking lot around the building is full of vendors. Since I’ve had a “tenancy” to fall down Diane will not let me go to Japan alone anymore, because it’s dangerous. Actually, she did not want me to go, even with my friend Julian.

I should have listened to her….

On the first morning, we took a taxi to the museum where the exhibition is held. I’ve been using a walking cane for some time now to help prevent falls. It did not work this time. Just as we were turning the entrance way to the museum I lost my balance and took out a few azaleas in a hedge. Julian could not lift me by himself and it took three strong men to lift me, then I immediately dropped again and again. I was not able to walk or stand alone. My saviors went into the museum and got me a wheelchair. Julian pushed me around the entire exhibition until 11:30 when we went upstairs for lunch. When I was nearly finished I had a few chest pains and got nauseated. Julian found a large trash can, but fortunately quieted down and we left. Even with a pacemaker and defibrillaodefri I still must be careful. Julian thought I might be having a heart attack and was quite concerned. Dying at Kokufu ten certainly have been eventful.

After lunch, we went downstairs to finish studying the small and shohin compositions. Then we started off to the Ueno Green Club for shopping, and reality kicked in. How am I to get to the shuttle bus, since I can’t stand? We decided to “borrow” one of the museum’s wheelchairs and return it tomorrow. WE quickly walked and wheeled out of the museum until a security cop caught and detained us. I tried to talk my way into them allow me to rent the wheelchair. The security cop, naturally had to call his boss. Not speaking English, we just stood around looking at each other until the museum director who spoke English arrived and we had more discussions. I was allowed to use the wheelchair on museum property but could not rent it or remove it.

So, I asked the three officers, what to do now. Finally, they took me away, (I thought to a Japanese prison,) a first floor exit and several more museum personal joined to question us. I was very fortunate to have my long-time friend Makiko Kobayashi, who had lived in the US and translates and writes bonsai articles in English translating for all of us. I probably would have ended up in Japanese prison without Makio’s assistance.

I said how about an ambulance to take me a hospital and then I thought rent a wheelchair. After a 30 minute discussion, the EMTs and driver and hospital the tried to find one which could help and accept me, during this holiday when most people are off their jobs. I was warned, several times, that if I must spend the night in the hospital, one of Tokyo finest. The daily charge would be about US $7,000 per night. At this point I’m not certain my Medicare or supplemental insurance would cover it.

After a 20 minute fast moving ambulance ride, complete with sirens, we arrived at very nice and clean hospital emergency room. They instantly checked my name and birthdate and put me a curtained area. My nurse suddenly appeared to help me. The chief doctor in the ER came to introduce himself and we chatted. He took blood samples while I was attached to an EKG, and having tubes shoved up my arms. All the nurses and doctors spoke English, and they all appeared to be than 40 years old. I have been in an emergency room “a few times” with waits from four hours to over eight before someone looked at me.

Following the testing the doctor ordered x-rays of my left knee. It was a very short time before they returned with the news that my left knee cap was fractured. They warned me to keep weight off my left leg because the fracture might travel and need surgery. They provided me with a leg brace, the X-rays, crutches, directions and prescriptions for pain relief. A special ambulance taxi to take us all, Julian, Makiko and her husband, who came bearing sandwiches to our hotel. The ambulance taxi was large and they transferred me into a comfortable chair like a Lazy Boy rocker.

We arrive at the hotel which only has an escalator which goes down not up. There was a steep staircase next to the escalator, and that went both up and down. The receptionist came and change the direction of the escalator. I hobbled to the escalator and held onto both moving handrails. There was one person in front and one in back in case I would fall.

I was so tired, and in some pain, I decided to return home today, on Monday rather than next Sunday. I did not want to miss part 2 of the exhibition and the suiseki exhibition as well, a most difficult decision to make. United Airlines wanted to charge me $500 for the date change. So, I told the customer representative that is ridiculous! This is a medical emergency change plus I’m a member of the Million Mile Club and have gold status for life.

I got home with no problem and pain. Got lucky both my flights were not full so had an entire row to keep my leg straight. One suitcase and I arrived on time, while the other suitcase arrived the next day.

Reflecting back, I did not purchase ANYTHING in Japan (a first) that was not consumable. Although I did have a taxi ride and three ambulance taxi rides to pay for.

My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.

My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.

February 3, 2025 by William N. Valavanis

Update– 2023 8th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album

Thank you for your interest for the 2023 8^th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album. I appreciate your order and support!

The album was STILL in production, I got delayed because all the exhibitors did NOT complete their Bonsai Data Forms. So I had to chase down and contact most of the exhibitors to get the correct information on their bonsai. This is in addition to a few medical issues delayed the album.

Right now I just finished the album. It was proofread by five different people and corrected. At the last minute Joe Noga again reviewed his beautiful bonsai photos and decided they were not quite up to his standards. They looked fine to me. So, Joe just adjusted over 200 photos and proofed them to make certain our printer in China can match his high color standards. Joe uses the same paper and ink (10 different color cartridges) for his proofs as the press uses to print the album so they match.

It’s now ready to send it to our printer. Once our printer receives the album it will take 2-3 months to get the album quality printed in China and hope they do not use a slow boat.

I’m certain you will find the album up to the same high standards you have enjoyed in my past ten books, 142 issues of International BONSAI and albums. Most people will quickly forget the unusually long wait once you have the exquisite album in your hands.

I’m very sorry about this unexpected but necessary delay, but I’m doing the best job I can and have an idea how to correct the problem for the 2025 9^th US National Bonsai Exhibition which will be held on September 13-14, 2025.

Thank you for your order, patience and understanding as I continue to produce fine quality educational bonsai reference books, programs and displays for the world-wide bonsai community.

With my deep and sincere apologies.

Bill

January 13, 2025 by William N. Valavanis

2025 94TH Meifu Bonsai Exhibition

The 94^th Meifu Bonsai Exhibition was held on January 10-12, 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. This is one of the largest and most important bonsai exhibitions. Also, it is the second longest in duration than the 99^th KokuFu Bonsai Exhibition. Next February in 2026 will be the 100^th anniversary of this most prestigious bonsai exhibition. It was started by Count Yorinaga Matsudaira and Tosho Kobayashi to raise the level of bonsai and increase awareness. Next year is the 100^thexhibition, but the show has not been around for 100 years. Originally the exhibition was held twice a year in March-April and in November-December yearly from 19434 to 1954. There were no exhibitions during the wartimes.

In 1960 the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition began yearly in February. Every ten years a double show was produced beginning in 1986 and it still continues.

The Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition mean “National” For years most of the bonsai came from one of the four main islands. But Tropical Okinawa is also part of Japan. Fuzaso Takeyama began teaching in Okinawa and now his son Hiroshi continues. Several y teaching in Okiears ago suddenly tropical species were represented in the exhibition, and I believe the tradition changed when the two Takeyama began teaching in Okinawa.

The Meifu Bonsai Exhibition mainly features bonsai grown and trained in the Aichi Prefecture region. This is a very fertile area for bonsai with the Suzuki family, Yasuo Mitsuya and Akira Kato leading the bonsai moement.

There are many Japanese black pine grown in this region so lots are represented. This year 65 bonsai were shown and there is always at least one special exhibit. Having this exhibition on the same days as the Gafu Shohin Exhibition makes it very convenient for foreigners since Nagoya is only a short 40-minute bullet train ride. There is also another excellent exhibition, in Okayama, but smaller which is held only one day a year, on the Saturday of the other two exhibitions.

The Meifu Bonsai Exhibition featured 65 trees. The bonsai were not crowded, pleanty of breathing room between displays so visitors can enjoy the aesthetic impact of each beautiful bonsai. One of the highlights I like is the excellent overhead even lighting and the white backgrounds.

I really like this exhibition and will try to attend their 100^th anniversary in six years

January 12, 2025 by William N. Valavanis

2025 50TH Gafu Ten Shohin Exhibition Part- 2

The Gafu Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held in the same venue and exhibition hall as the Taikan Ten Bonsai Exhibition only six week ago. Even though both exhibitions were similar and had most of the same vendors. Both were sponsored by different organizations and had most of the same people running the show, so most were familiar faces to me.

But, I personally had different feelings for both exhibitions although the foreign visitors were warmly welcomed. The security for this year’s exhibition was very evident with several security men walking around, carefully watching the visitors. There was a simple unobtrusive white wooden barrier around all the displays. ALL the doors in the entire huge exhibition center were locked, I checked them all and my favorite entrance was locked too. Even the many vendors were not allowed into the exhibition until about 40 minutes before the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. After putting on, the white gloves I dropped golden official scissors on to the red carpet. But the owner of Kinbon publication, next to me picked them up for me. I did not fall during the three-day exhibition and another show in Nagoya. However, the tour is not over yet, tomorrow we will visit and go container shopping in Tokoname. During the past ten years or so I annually walk about 5-6 miles per day for the three-day November exhibition, and now the three-day Gafu Ten exhibition. I’m “usually” using my cane with an Apple Air Tag so it does not get lost when I accidently put it down.

Judging for the Gafu ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held on Thursday. I’m not one of the judges for this exhibition, but did get permission and a special name tag to watch the judging. The entire display area was closed to the public and I watched guards turning people away. Good thing I had permission. The process is very complicated and I was surprised how the judging took place. There were over 130 display areas containing over 677 individual specimens. I was completely surprised that each bonsai is not evaluated! On each voting ballot, there are only three categories, each worth 10 points. 1 Tree quality. 2 Container value and suitability. 3 Overall composition of the display composition. It seems as though equal emphases is placed on the container and how they are arranged. Ballot image below.

Now for the size categories, mini-bonsai 7cm, mini-bonsai 10cm, Shohin bonsai 20cm. I have not seen or heard the word Mame Bonsai for several years.

Perhaps the increased security is to avoid theft of these tiny treasures. I got lucky photographing the trees and displays which interested me. After judging, every one of the 677 trees were removed and baptized in water until the bubbles stopped. Every display area had a blue piece of plastic and newspaper for allowing the trees to drain. When I arrived on Saturday morning every bonsai was on the draining matt. But they were quickly put back on display before the official opening. By the way, a few years ago I was told that each exhibition has different size categories. There were two different container contests and displays. The first display featured registered important masterpiece containers, which were not judged, but put behind glass. Tim Priest had one of his exquisite containers accepted for display for the sixth time.

There was also a new container contest, with several entries from foreign countries. I recognized Gayle Fiato and Pitoon Ekarintaragun, both from New York state.

This was an excellent and special exhibition of shohin bonsai. I got brain freeze, all the trees and compositions began to look alike. When that happens to me I simply walk into the sales area to make purchases. Then I return back to the exhibition to continue my studies. I always see something I missed….

January 11, 2025 by William N. Valavanis

2025 50TH Gafu Ten Shohin Exhibition Part-1

The 50^th Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held on January 10-12, 2025 at the Miyako Messe Exhibition Center in Kyoto, Japan.

e 1st By the way, I figured out that I attended this first exhibition 50 years ago when I was apprenticing in Omiya Bonsai Village! This year to commemorate the historic achievement there were quite few additional special bonsai container contest (including several foreign entries) numerous registered shohin bonsai containers, antique containers, a private bonsai collections, professional bonsai artists and several demonstrations and even a workshop for 15 students. The trees came out great, considering the pre-shaped trunks and small lengthy Sargent juniper foliage.

After the formal opening ceremony and traditional ribbon cutting I was positioned at the entrance to welcome visitors. I was VERY surprised to see most of the first visitors RUNNING to get to the large sales area, just like in the United States, but I’ve never seen visitors running in to sales area, and I have attended a few bonsai exhibitions. Perhaps, if we had material for sale like in Japan, Americans would also run….

In Part-2 I’ll discuss the complicated judging system and how this exhibition compared to the November Taikan Ten Bonsai Exhibition held in the same room.

In Part-2 I’ll discuss the complicated judging system and how this exhibition compared to the November Taikan Ten Bonsai Exhibition held in the same room.

December 31, 2024 by William N. Valavanis

Happy New Year 2025

New Year’s day is a special holiday for our family and religion for at least three reasons. Most important is to welcome in the New Year, a fresh new yearly beginning. Everyone gets another opportunity to enjoy and improve their lives for another year. This also applies to our bonsai as well as we have plans to change and improve their design.

Also January 1^st commemorates the feast of the circumcision of Jesus in the Orthodox Church. Jesus was Jewish and according to tradition baby boys were circumcised on the eight day after birth. Our church celebrates this event during the first Divine Liturgy of the New Year celebrated on January 1^st for St. Basil.

More importantly January 1^st is also St. Basil’s day in the Orthodox Church. St. Basil was a forefather of the Greek Orthodox Church and is remembered for his kindness and generosity to the poor. He was also the first to establish hospitals, which I’m personally thankful for during these past several years.

Since my baptismal name is Vassilios (Basil), January 1^st is my names day, a holiday often celebrated more than birthdays. Sometimes the family of the person named Basil hosts an open house and friends are invited to visit. A couple of years ago Diane had New Year Open House and many of our friends were invited to help celebrate my names day. Of course I had to come up with a special alcove display in the studio featuring bonsai and the special events celebrated this day. There are many reasons to display bonsai and all of them are centered on creating a display atmosphere for enjoyment of the viewers. A Chinese quince bonsai, loaded with fruit (I did not add any) was selected to show the prosperity of the year. A Pomegranate would have been better, also a Pine showing longevity. But, I wanted to show prosperity. An icon of St. Basil was made into an insert for a scroll to celebrate the saint. Finally, Chinese quince fruit, along with a sharp, large root pruning bonsai knife was used for the accessory, with the knife commemorating the circumcision. This was a rather unusual, unorthodox display, but was created for my visitors which they enjoyed and we had many discussions.

The celebration continues with the cutting of a Vassilopita, or St. Basil’s cake (or bread). A coin is baked into the cake and the person receiving the coin is to have good luck for the New Year. St. Basil began this tradition by returning jewelry to people by placing one in each cake. There is a specific order of cutting the cake also. First piece is for St. Basil, next one for the house and the following for members of the family by seniority. Following pieces are cut for friends. Diane makes delicious Vassilopitas we all enjoy. However yesterday we went through the cutting and nobody found the coin… yet. I took a peek and saw the outline of the coin, which will be found by the next person who cuts a piece. I want another piece, but will cut it from the opposite side and let another member of our family find the coin

When I was a youngster my grandmother had a couple of customs for the New Year holiday. It was important that the first visitor who sets foot into the home was ideally a young innocent child with pure heart would bring a good omen and luck for the remaining of the year. We always hoped for a youngster, not an elderly person.

The Pomegranate is a fruit with a long history going back to ancient times. It is widely revered as a symbol of fertility, prosperity, regeneration and the inseparable marriage of life and death. One of my tasks for my grandmother was to take a large, plump, ripe Pomegranate and smash it on the doorstep for good luck. The blessed luck was proportional to how far the seeds were spread. I also had to clean up the red mess which stains. We do not follow this tradition for obvious reasons, but I might start next year, with a piece of plastic on the floor.

Kitty Kat

Well, last year Diane was the lucky person to finally find the coin in the Vasiliopita, so she will enjoy good luck for 2025. Actually, I hope my entire family and friends all enjoy:

Good Luck, Good Health and Prosperity during 2025.

May all your bonsai stay small and crooked, in the right places.

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December 29, 2024 by William N. Valavanis

Developing A Scots Pine Bonsai– part 1

I came across a few of these photos from a “memory” which popped up on my Facebook page, and thought I’d update the development of this Scots pine from a Xmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Of course, I’ll add a lot more information in Part 2, but I’m busy finishing the anticipated 2023 US National Bonsai Exhibition Album.

1989– First potting from Xmas tree farm

1989– with good pinching the tree s becoming heavier. Not sure of the rock, but it does make the trunk base look better.

1997– The entire pine was defoliated to encourage short needles in spring. More information in Part 2.

1999- only two growing seasons were necessary for the pine to fill out

2002- This is the Pine when I purchased it in spring 2002, needs a lot of work (fun).

2010– beginning to develop into a new form, I needed right side branch and brought one from the left and stapled it the ideal location.

November 2023– pine became bushy and it was time to prune and wire.

December 2023- Alan Adair and I worked on the tree for about a month, we had other things to do… It was a good size, too big for me.

January 2024– we finished shaping the pine and decided it deserved a higher quality container.

September 2024–In February I visite the Gyozan Kiln in Tokoname and was lucky to find this container. Three large size containers were purchased that day and came home with me as extra baggage. The pine was transplanted in early summer into the fine new container it deserves. Now the bonsai is too large for me and I’ll let someone younger and stronger to continue its development. It is large, and if someone is serious in purchasing it I’ll go outside and measure it.

November 23, 2024 by William N. Valavanis

Atumn 2024 Japan Bonsai Tour-Part 4 Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibition (Part 2- Companion Plantings)

When creating a formal, traditional bonsai composition it is important to suggest seasonality. This can be easily suggested in several ways; the bonsai, scroll or accessory (companion planting, art or figurine.) These should not be duplicated in a composition. For example, do not display a flowering bonsai with a flower inspired scroll painting or a flowering companion planting. It would also be strange to suggest an autumn season with a colorful maple which is also duplicated in the painting. A booming autumn flowering or grass companion might be ideal.

It’s a bit difficult to display suiseki or pine bonsai because they not normally change color. So, pine bonsai can be effectively appreciated if the painting is of a maple. Or the pine bonsai could be displayed with a deciduous bonsai for autumn. However, pines or evergreen species often change color through the winter. Likewise, a stone could be used in a summer season if placed in a water basin. Or an evergreen bonsai displayed with a stone featuring flowers. The effective display of bonsai requires thought and creativity to be better appreciated.

Companion plantings are fun, easy to create and maintain, so most people often have several depicting different seasons.

November 22, 2024 by William N. Valavanis

Autumn 2024 Japan Bonsai Tour-Part 3 Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibition (Part 1)

The 44^th Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibition is now being held on November 22-25, 2024 at the Miyako Messe Exhibition Hall in Kyoto, Japan. This is the second most important bonsai exhibition in Japan and visitors from around the world travel to see, study and find out what is new in the Japanese bonsai community.

Set up was on Thursday the day before the show opened. The best three trees in each category were brought onto long tables. A few of the categories included evergreens (LMS), deciduous (LMS) Satsuki azaleas (LMS), forest plantings, rock plantings and three sections of suiseki. At 1:30 pm the actual judging with 11 important authorities from Japan and three foreigners from China, Europe and the United States. A total of 20 awards were selected. I had selected 18 out of 20 winners.

After the final judging finished at about 2:45 pm the trees were returned to their assigned display positions.

On Friday and Saturday I’ll be conducting a walking tour of the exhibition.

New this year are demonstrations by Masahiko Kimura, Kunio Kobayashi, Shinji Suzuki and two other artists. The demonstrations took about two hours in length and Mr. Kobayashi and Mr. Kimura kind of worked on two bonsai together, which was very entertaining. Demonstrations will also be held on Saturday and Sunday. There is a $20 admission fee for each day. On Friday tickets sold out quickly and many viewers were sitting on the floor or standing in the back watching the artists (actors?) performing.

I hope you enjoy the accompanying images as much as I have, it was one of the better-quality Nippon Bonsai Taikan Exhibitions. More to comb!

November 21, 2024 by William N. Valavanis

Autumn 2024 Japan Bonsai Tour-Part 2 Masahiko Kimura Visit

Today we visited the studio of Masahiko Kimura who is often referred to as “The Magical Technician of Contemporary Bonsai” because of his unique talents and creative expressions of bonsai art. He was among the first to use power tools and show the global bonsai community new techniques and tools for shaping and refinement.

Currently Masahiko Kimura is considered to be a genius and innovator for bonsai and has started new movements to create highly refined sculptured masterworks.