Bonsai

I'm aware there are plenty of other Bonsai books avaiable - especially by an Englishman Harry Thomlinson - which cover every aspect of how to grow them, identify different types and filled with a myriad of attractive photographs. But all filtered through English lenses.So there is a case to be made for going right to the source - which historically was China but in reality is Japan. That's why I feel this hansom book printed in China, published in Japan in 2011 and put together by a Japanese expert has to be vastly more authoritative. As one would expect it's beautifully designed (and by making comparison with those in Mr Tomlnson's paperback) everyone of the 110 Bonsai trees they illustrate are far superior ancient Japanese specimens photographed in extreme HD close-up - usually with an all white or all black background.Making it even more pleasurable are the slightly offbeat English translations of the Japanese text on each facing page. For conveniance the Bonsai are divided into into 12 month sections. Each month launched with one of those short poems one finds on hotel pillows. viz: "Autumn deepens - the man next door - what does he do for a living?" or "A lonely road - on an Autumn evening - no one here but me".In this instance for March - "truly spring - nameless mountains in a thin mountain mist". April - "how brilliant - leaves both green and young in the sun's light". May - "Suruga road - even the wild orange blossoms smell of green tea". June - "sixth month - clouds resting on the peaks of Arashiyama"In other words owning this solid heavy book, filled with beautiful photographs of incredibly beautiful minature Bonsai trees, is a surefire way to briefly transport oneself to a unique spiritual Japanese world - without having to leave home.

This book is not really about how to do Bonsai. It shows a photo of a Bonsai and gives a description of the species in English and Japanese. The benefit would be to a more experienced Bonsai person to suggest species of plant to try and what can be accomplished with that species. It is about inspiration and ideas. The author is a respected Japanese Bonsai Master with his own nursery/show place not far from Tokyo Disney Land.

What a great book. As other have mentioned, do not expect to find Bonsai techniques in here, it's just a beautiful coffee table style book of some great works of art masterfully photographed.Excellent! Bonsaaaaaaai!!!!

This was a gift to my father n law who has everything. He loves horticulture and this book gets his creative juices going. This isn't for a novice gardener but perfect for an expert

This is most book for any Bonsai practitioner The style and designs of the trees and pot is grand.

I wish the book had more than just photos of the trees and shown some more techniques.

Really beautiful book. Picture are awesome and poetic which reveal the bonsai beauty! I wanted to buy it for a long time and I'm not disappointed!

As others have mentioned this book is not an instructional guide to growing bonsai - rather it begins with a short history of bonsai, including Japanese terminology (also present in the glossary) that is very much lacking in western books on the subject. This introduction is interesting because it examines the interaction between Japanese art and culture in different periods, and the influence these have had on bonsai. One of my favourite portions of this text describes the role of the pot - unlike many western authors describing the pot as being akin to a painting frame, the emphasis is on the pot as part of a cohesive work of art.Apart from the stunningly beautiful photography, I personally found it useful and refreshing to find in print the Japanese names for tree material commonly (and as the text indicates on occasion, not so commonly) used.There are many, many 'how-to' books on bonsai available now. It is nice to see something more about bonsai as an art. This is the kind of book I'd be happy to have displayed on my coffee table for guests to peruse. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in bonsai. It certainly would make a very nice gift. I've only been involved in the art for about 4 or 5 years, but find works like this to be an enduring source of inspiration and fascination.

Ce ne sont certainement les plus beaux sujets qui sont dans ce livre. Malgré tout, il y en a de très beaux et de nombreuses variétés. Texte en anglais ou japonais, mais qui ne donne pas beaucoup d'indications sur les arbres traités.

Ce livre a des supers photos. Le texte (anglais + japonnais) est succinct et n'est pas le centre d’intérêt du livre

This book does not teach the creation or maintenance of Bonsai.It is a collection of (very wellmade )photographs of single plants in pots,accompanied by the briefest botanical information,that is genus , family and location of the natural habitat and a few words of praise about the plant;in Japanese and English writing.Despite the book`s title,it shows very few genuine Bonsais,the vast majority of the pictured plants are mere shrubs which have made their way into Bonsai-pots, somehow.Still,I would rate the book as a bargain,if you can by it for the price which is reduced for supposed flaws(I could not find any peers in mine,though),but I would have regretted to have spent 40 U$-Bucks for it.