This year the autumn viewing season for maples has been excellent. A sign in our hotel indicates the stage of leaf coloring in several of the popular viewing areas. It looks like we visited Kyoto at the best time, too bad I did not have the opportunity to visit any of the gardens.

Last views of the 34^th Nippon Taikan Bonsai Exhibition

Sargent juniper, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii ‘Shimpaku’

Only three shohin bonsai compositions this year were displayed. In early January there is a huge shohin bonsai exhibition which fills the entire building.

Shishigashira Japanese maple, Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashia’

Japanese black pine, Pinus thunbergii. This masterpiece bonsai was created by Kenji Oshima and won the Prime Minister Award at last year’s Professional Bonsai Exhibition.

Even the suiseki were carefully watered. Note the cloth placed behind the stone to avoid moistening the valuable display tables.

Winged spindle tree, Euonymus sieboldiana

Red…

5.30am on a Sunday morning and for normal people if your not still out on the lash your supposed to be in the comfort of your nice warm bed but nope not this fella, I’m up dressed and ready for me Bonsai mate John to pick me up to drive for 2 hours up north for a day of learning at the hands of Bonsai Eejit.

Should be a great day 🙂

Oh and hopefully there will be crispy bacon and eggs with home made bread waiting on us … Dream on sham lol