Page 11 - BSAM 2017 Q3

en came two bonsai masterpieces from the Impe- rial Bonsai collection. ese were placed in very tradi- tional setting creating a scenario of a typical Japanese house with screens and a sloping roof.
e corridor opened out into an area which housed a series of iconic and famous bonsai in a garden-like setting. Notable among these were the famous Ezo spruce forest of Mr. Saburo Kato, a Japanese Black Pine which was just 3 km away from ground zero dur- ing the Hiroshima bombings and protected by gar- den walls. ere was also the ‘Million Dollar Bonsai’ a Japanese black pine from Mr. Kunio Kobayashi’s col- lection. Most of these bonsai were over 600 years old.
A er these impressive displays came the ‘Special Display Area’ featuring bonsai of famous collectors. The Masaru Hasaka Collection, one of the best in Japan, featured black, white and red pines in unique but traditional displays each with gold or silver screens. e bonsai were displayed alongside ancient and valuable ceramic pottery. e Funayama Collection had a special central display with Suiseki, trees and white gravel in a Zen garden-like setting. The collection, mostly white pine, belonged to Akiei Funayama, a Fukushima-based bonsai artist. e Keuinan Collection display was designed in a modernistic and contemporary style in black with red trimmings. Most of the bonsai here were originally styled by Mr. Kimura and are presently under the care of Mr. Shinji Suzuki. is collection had some of the best trees in the exhibition. ere was also an
Top; Bonsai of Euonymus Alatus (Burning Bush) with owers. Bottom; A Wisteria bonsai in bloom.
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