Betsuin Bonsai Show
San Jose, California
April 8-10, 2011
Betsuin Bonsai Club Website
This was the first year we attended the Betsuin Bonsai Club Show and we were very pleasantly surprised. The show was very well organized and the display trees were phenomenal. The majority of the display trees were absolutely beautiful and perfectly developed; they were truly prime examples of the art of bonsai. The show trees were each placed on navy blue table runners and included name tags with each tree’s species name and common name. The lighting on the show floor was excellent, which helped illuminate all the features of each tree and allowed for flash less photography. Although the plain white canvas background made certain that the focus of attention was on the trees, complementing scrolls might have added just that extra something to complete each tree. Aside from the show, there was a bonsai tree sale at which visitors could buy various kinds of bonsai trees at bargain prices to help raise money for the club. There were also private vendors who sold everything from bonsai pots and soils, to bonsai tools and supplies. Scheduled at 1:00 pm each day, visitors were welcome to sit down for an approximately one and a half hour bonsai demonstration.
Demonstrations:
The demonstrations were performed by Harry Hirao, a nationally renowned bonsai artist, who is known as “Mr. California Juniper”, and two assistants. Saturday’s demonstration consisted of pruning and wiring a California juniper (approximately 25-30 years of age) that was later raffled off along with two other trees and a bonsai tool bucket. The demonstration was narrated by a club member who also shared valuable information with the audience about watering, fertilizing, and repotting bonsai and kept everyone entertained with his funny remarks.
PICTURES TO COME SOON!
April 8-10, 2011
Betsuin Bonsai Club Website
This was the first year we attended the Betsuin Bonsai Club Show and we were very pleasantly surprised. The show was very well organized and the display trees were phenomenal. The majority of the display trees were absolutely beautiful and perfectly developed; they were truly prime examples of the art of bonsai. The show trees were each placed on navy blue table runners and included name tags with each tree’s species name and common name. The lighting on the show floor was excellent, which helped illuminate all the features of each tree and allowed for flash less photography. Although the plain white canvas background made certain that the focus of attention was on the trees, complementing scrolls might have added just that extra something to complete each tree. Aside from the show, there was a bonsai tree sale at which visitors could buy various kinds of bonsai trees at bargain prices to help raise money for the club. There were also private vendors who sold everything from bonsai pots and soils, to bonsai tools and supplies. Scheduled at 1:00 pm each day, visitors were welcome to sit down for an approximately one and a half hour bonsai demonstration.
Demonstrations:
The demonstrations were performed by Harry Hirao, a nationally renowned bonsai artist, who is known as “Mr. California Juniper”, and two assistants. Saturday’s demonstration consisted of pruning and wiring a California juniper (approximately 25-30 years of age) that was later raffled off along with two other trees and a bonsai tool bucket. The demonstration was narrated by a club member who also shared valuable information with the audience about watering, fertilizing, and repotting bonsai and kept everyone entertained with his funny remarks.
PICTURES TO COME SOON!
