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Author Topic: Kokufu  (Read 3638 times)

JRob

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Kokufu
« on: September 09, 2009, 07:57 PM »
Good Evening All,

I have been looking at my Kokufu 83 book and was wondering if someone could explain the designations - Important Bonsai Masterpiece and Kokufu Prize to me and what they mean in terms of the judging.

Thanks,

JRob
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King Kong

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2009, 09:56 PM »
Just to get it rolling here, not sure but I think you need 60 points from 12 judges, 5 each, to get the highest prize Kokufu. Any thing less points wise would be a prize of a different designation. Just a guess.

__gary
« Last Edit: September 09, 2009, 10:06 PM by King Kong »
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MatsuBonsai

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2009, 08:05 AM »
I believe the Kokufu Prize designation indicates that the tree won (one of) the prize for that year.  There is no set number of prizes awarded, as I understand it.

The term Important Bonsai Masterpiece I believe indicates that this tree is a past winner of a Kokufu prize.
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John Kirby

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2009, 08:39 AM »
I think the status of important bonsai masterpiece is awarded by the NBA (Nippon Bonsai Association) or one of the professional bonsai organizations. Gives the trees exra status.

John
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John Romano

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2009, 09:05 AM »
Yes, the 'Important Bonsai Masterpiece' status is designated by the Nippon Bonsai Association and these trees are considered national treasures and not to be sold outside of Japan.  I saw many of these trees at Kimura's garden with a special small metal tag designating them as such.  They may not always be the 'best' bonsai but have historical and cultural significance.
John Romano
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JRob

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2009, 07:42 AM »
Thanks All,

Since I am new to the art form and have a lot to learn and I appreciate everyone's reply.

I became interested in bonsai at the 2008 Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens after talking to members of the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis and buying our first tree from Cass Bonsai a 30 year old Buxus microphylla 'Compacta' collected from a Washington DC garden at the festival. It was a gift for my 16 year old son who really had the initial interest. I have concentrated my own collection on Shohin Bonsai and we both took several work shops with Tigra Urusibata at the 2009 Shohin St. Louis convention held by our club. A Pinus thunbergii Shohin cascade I bought from Don Blackmond at Gregory Beach Bonsai and displayed at the show took Second Place when Tigra judged the trees. Over the last year we've learned a great deal. We both had displays at the 2009 Japanese Festival last weekend at the Gardens.

John R., I remember reading an article by you on Sumo Shohin and was so fascinated I hunted for material to begin development of a tree in this style. I finally settled on a Malus "Prairiefire". It has a circumference of 13-1/2 inches at the soil line and stands 7" tall at the top foliage. I would be interested in seeing some photos of some other trees of this style if you have any and could post them in the Shohin section. I think I remember the article having  a Korean Hornbeam as the photo but you mentioned a few other examples.

Once again Thanks to All,

JRob
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Jeff Lahr

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2009, 08:32 AM »
Quote from: JRob on September 11, 2009, 07:42 AM
Thanks All,

Since I am new to the art form and have a lot to learn and I appreciate everyone's reply.

I became interested in bonsai at the 2008 Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens after talking to members of the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis and buying our first tree from Cass Bonsai a 30 year old Buxus microphylla 'Compacta' collected from a Washington DC garden at the festival. It was a gift for my 16 year old son who really had the initial interest. I have concentrated my own collection on Shohin Bonsai and we both took several work shops with Tigra Urusibata at the 2009 Shohin St. Louis convention held by our club. A Pinus thunbergii Shohin cascade I bought from Don Blackmond at Gregory Beach Bonsai and displayed at the show took Second Place when Tigra judged the trees. Over the last year we've learned a great deal. We both had displays at the 2009 Japanese Festival last weekend at the Gardens.

John R., I remember reading an article by you on Sumo Shohin and was so fascinated I hunted for material to begin development of a tree in this style. I finally settled on a Malus "Prairiefire". It has a circumference of 13-1/2 inches at the soil line and stands 7" tall at the top foliage. I would be interested in seeing some photos of some other trees of this style if you have any and could post them in the Shohin section. I think I remember the article having  a Korean Hornbeam as the photo but you mentioned a few other examples.

Once again Thanks to All,

JRob

I look forward to seeing photos of some of these trees... especially the malus!
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JRob

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Re: Kokufu
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2009, 04:40 PM »
Jeff,

I posted a thread on the Shohin section of the Malus and my Shohin Display at the Japanese Festival on the thread in the general discussion on that topic.

JRob
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