Page 37 - BSAM 2018 Q1

Medium Bonsai Award
Finest Medium Size Bonsai
Itoigawa Sargent Juniper,
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii ‘Itoigawa’
Top To Bottom: 15 inches
Container: Antique Chinese
Display Table: Japanese
Boon Manakitivipart, Hayward, California
Japanese Black Pine,
Pinus thunbergii
Top to Bottom: 24 inches
Container: Japanese, Tokoname-ware from the Keizan Kiln
John Kirby,
Cochester, Connecticut
Canada. In addition, most of the major public bonsai collections have displayed at one or more of the US National Exhibitions. Other special displays from Canada as well as exhibits of special private collections have been enjoyed.
In 2016, o cers and directors of the Nippon Bonsai Association attended the exhibition and shared how much they enjoyed the bonsai. ey were especially pleased with both the quality and variety of trees displayed. Each year a wide range of the best trees from many di erent cultivars are selected, many are rare or unusual specimens. It is also interesting to see the variety of well-developed native species and the re ned examples from all parts of the country. These incredible native specimens have inspired others to work with them and hopefully develop more masterpiece bonsai in America. At the 5th US National Bonsai Exhibition in 2016, there were over 120 di erent species and cultivars on display.
The World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF) will be holding their board of directors meeting at the exhibition and will bring bonsai leaders from around the world to attend. During the weekend you can make many new friends from around the globe.
The three international judges: Taiga Urushibata, Japan; Lindsay Bebb, Australia; and Mauro Stemberger, Italy; will have the always di cult task of awarding the best bonsai in a number of categories. It is interesting to note that on three separate occasions the judges themselves decided to add an award and fund it too, they were so inspired!
In addition to the bonsai exhibition of close to 300 ne trees, there will be an Invitational Suiseki Display for the 3rd time.
January/February/March 2018 | BCI | 35