I enjoyed seeing the photos from the show. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this year, but have displayed for over thirty years in this great show. I missed seeing many of my long time friends and seeing some great bonsai too.
I have a few thoughts on the comments posted here and these are based on my personal observations for over 45 years, both as an exhibitor and judge on several continents.
Of the bonsai photos you showed, clearly Jim Doyle’s Eastern white pine was the best. I saw this bonsai at the US National Bonsai Exhibition and was taken away with it. Both Suthin and I tried to purchase it, but Jim did not want to sell it. As a judge, Michael knows well that there is more to selecting the best tree because of only the design. It is very difficult to get a good Eastern white pine bonsai, especially one which is as graceful as this bonsai. As to the wiring, many shows in America tend to be very strict. It is common in Japan to take trees to be professionally wired prior to showing. In fact, one year Mr. Kimura wired nearly every one of the conifers in the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. As to the shaping of the branches, this Eastern white pine bonsai was wired by a professional artist trained in Japan, Marco Invernizzi.
I don’t know what you are talking about with the Cork bark Chinese elm. I’ve been attending bonsai exhibitions in Japan for over 30 years and bonsai with inverse taper are not highly prized. When was the last bonsai show in Japan you attended?
As far as the oribe (green mottled glaze) for the ficus goes, perhaps Michael does not like the pot color to be identical to that of the foliage. This is important and most artists tend to appreciate a contrast in pot colors rather than have it match.
Yes, the bald cypress is large and looks well balanced with the beautiful pot, good match. However this bonsai is not refined and does not show the many years of care and training other bonsai show. Many bonsai in America as well as in Europe do not show an “aged” appearance which cannot be quickened. There is more to a fine quality bonsai than just good design.
There is nothing wrong with stating your own preferences to the bonsai as to the judging. But, perhaps in this instance, Michael was selected to be the judge because of his knowledge, taste and background.
I hope these constructive comments on your observations will help to explain why the judge selected these fine bonsai.
Bill