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sure how well this request would be received by Mr. Fujikawa, as customers do not normally participate in this part of the process. In Japan it is the norm for professionals to prepare trees for exhibitions, nd suitable pots, arrange transport, and o en, to organise things like display tables and companion items. ey discussed this idea with Bjorn who then discussed this with Keiichi Fujikawa. is was all OK, and Mark and Ritta xed a date for them to visit the Kouka-en nursery prior to the Taikan-ten exhibition which was scheduled for the last weekend in November.
A few days before Taikan-ten they spent a whole day at Kouka-en preparing their tree for the show. e rst discussion with Mr. Fujikawa concerned a proposed display design. is involved the choice of table, careful consideration of the “direction” of the tree, and choosing a companion planting. After a little experimentation and some discus- sion, a nal display layout was quickly agreed upon. e next steps were thoroughly cleaning and lightly oiling the pot (with camellia oil), carefully applying moss to the whole of the soil surface with moss creating a nice at “lawn” of moss, and then strate- gically adding some lichen to the nebari. Of course the tree’s foliage received a few nal detail “tweaks” to ensure that the foliage pads looked their best. Owen Reich helped and advised us during the day, but they were always under the watchful and avuncular gaze of Keiichi Fujikawa who politely guided and advised them. Bjorn occasionally took some video which subsequently appeared in his “Continuum” DVD.
A proud moment and a warm reaction
Soon it was time for the show, and as Mark and Ritta were staying in Kyoto only a short subway journey and a short walk to the venue, the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall, Miyakomesse. The venue is close to the famous Heian Jingu Shrine. At the show entrance they showed their entrance tickets kindly provided by Keiichi Fujikawa and they made a beeline for their exhibit, number 128. They were delighted and proud. It looked great! Every item on exhibit had an information label written in Katakana characters. Mark and Ritta’s exhibit labels informed viewers of their nationality, their phonetic names, and a description of the tree/pot and companion item. All the trees are carefully watered and cared for at the exhibition by professionals.
It surprised Mark and Ritta how many compli- mentary comments they received from Japanese hobbyists, particularly as it is so unusual to see an exhibit owned by gaijin (foreigners). In fact, they were amongst a very small handful of foreigners who have ever exhibited at Taikan-ten. It was at a Taikan-ten exhibition some years ago that Mark and Ritta rst met Mike and Amy Blanton from Tennessee, USA, who were exhibitors there. inking back to that time, Mark and Ritta were impressed and inspired by Mike and Amy’s achievement, but sadly Mike is no longer with us.
Top; Maarten van der Hoeven of Bonsai Plaza with Mark, Ritta and Kokonoe at Taikan-ten.
Middle; Exhibit goers are curious about the gaijin or foreigners exhibiting at Taikan- ten. Exhibit labels informed viewers of their nationality, their phonetic names, and a description of the tree/pot and companion item.
Bottom; Yuri Hayama, Kuoka-en apprentice, at the Kuoka-en sales stand at Taikan-ten.
October/November/December 2015 | BCI | 63