Category: Featured Articles

Chi Lin Nunnery – A Must-go for All Bonsai Lovers in Hong Kong

Post author By Sandy
Post date April 6, 2011
1 Comment on Chi Lin Nunnery – A Must-go for All Bonsai Lovers in Hong Kong

Every once a while, I receive emails from bonsai lovers or family / friends of some bonsai lovers asking me for suggestions of sightseeing location in Hong Kong. Of course, they are not expecting answers like Ocean Park or Times Square, but somewhere with trees and bonsai pots and accessories that can make bonsai lovers all happy and excited. And one of the few places that I would suggest is Chi Lin Nunnery.

You can find more photos in the album of Chi Lin Nunnery – Bonsai Garden in Hong Kong in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

Chi Lin Nunnery is located in Kowloon. The closet subway station is Diamond Hill.

Chi Lin Nunnery does not have the largest bonsai collection, but the trees that grow in the nunneary are so beautiful. When I was in there, I felt like I was in a magnified landscape bonsai.

In Chi Lin Nunnery, trees that are grow on the ground are also trimmed beautifully, as those in a bonsai pot.

Besides bonsai trees, there are also a suiseki gallery.

Some beautiful bonsai in the nunnery.
RIGHT: This Fire-thorn ( Pyracantha crenulata, 火棘 in Chinese) is protected by a tent so to avoid the birds from eating the fruits on the tree.

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Antique Chinese Pottery and Figurines in Qu Yi Garden

Post author By Sandy
Post date March 15, 2011
4 Comments on Antique Chinese Pottery and Figurines in Qu Yi Garden

Besides all the 1000+ beautiful bonsai, suiseki stones and figurines, there also is a very long gallery filled with ancient bonsai pots in Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa’s amazing bonsai gallery in Shenzhen – Qu Yi Garden (趣怡园).

RIGHT: Entrance of the antique Chinese bonsai pot gallery in Qu Yi Garden

LEFT: I really like this wooden sculpture that is placed in the entrance of the gallery.

The pot on the left is made of peach clay (桃花泥) and the pot on the right is made of purple clay (aka zisha clay, 紫泥). Beautiful carving work, full of details.

These few pots are from the Qing dynasty. I remember I saw some bonsai pots in the gallery that are from period as early as the Yuen dynasty (A.D. 1271-1368).

Beautiful art this is, isn’t it?

There are also many figurines and suiseki rocks in the gallery.

You can find more photos in the album of Qu Yi Garden – Antique China Pots and Stone Art in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

You can check out this post – Visiting Qu Yi Garden – A Big Big Penjing Gallery! – for more about Qy Yi Garden and its bonsai displays.

And definitely check out this post – Suiseki Stones & Figurines in Qu Yi Garden – if you like beautiful suiseki stones and antique Chinese figurines.

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Suiseki Stones & Figurines in Qu Yi Garden

Post author By Sandy
Post date March 8, 2011
1 Comment on Suiseki Stones & Figurines in Qu Yi Garden

As said in the post – Visiting Qu Yi Garden – A Big Big Penjing Gallery, the bonsai gallery of Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa (Chairman of Hong Kong Penjing and Artstone Society) does not only have thousands of penjing, but also a huge gallery of antique bonsai pots and a showroom of figurines and suiseki stones.

Doesn’t this suiseki rock look like a citrus cut in half?

Does this look like an old woman looking at a duck?

These daiza – the carved wood bases – are so beautiful; very well carved and perfectly conforming to the shape of the suiseki stone.

This carved stone is one of my favorite in Wu’s suiseki stone showroom.

I am told that many of these figurines cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Happy Bonsai Shop has this Zhong Kui – the Chinese Ghostbuster -figurine for sale too. Of course, not in a “antique and collection price”, but in a very affordable price haha 😀

What a great way to display a collection of figurines! It is easy, convenient, and interesting 😀 I definitely will give it a try with my figurine collection!

Check out this post –Antique Chinese Pottery and Figurines in Qu Yi Garden – to find out more about the antique Chinese pottery gallery in Qu Yi Garden. Lots of beautiful bonsai pots there 😉

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Visiting Qu Yi Garden – A Big Big Penjing Gallery!

Post author By Sandy
Post date March 1, 2011
3 Comments on Visiting Qu Yi Garden – A Big Big Penjing Gallery!

Last Friday, with many fellow members of our bonsai club (Institute of Lingnan Penjing, Hong Kong), we visited Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa’s amazing bonsai gallery in Shenzhen – Qu Yi Garden (趣怡园 aka Tracy Penjing Gallery).

A corner of Qu Yi Garden

Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa is the Chairman of Hong Kong Penjing and Artstone Society, as well as WBFF international consultant. Obviously he is one bonsai enthusiast. But moreover, Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa is an art collector who has dedicated much of his time and wealth on promoting the art of Chinese penjing to the world.

With Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa (吳成發先生), the owner of this amazing bonsai gallery

With his large, beautiful collection of penjing, bonsai pots, and suiseki stones displaying in Qu Yi Garden, Mr. Wu Cheng-Fa invites fellow bonsai lovers and bonsai enthusiasts to his huge gallery/workshop, and together, share bonsai knowledge and ideas.

RIGHT: Teacher Wong shares some bonsai stories of his younger days with the club members.
LEFT: WBFF Chairman – Mr. Hu Yun-Hua – came over to our group and joined the conversation.

A group photo of our bonsai club members with Teacher Wong Chiu Shing (黄就成先生), Mr. Hu Yun-Hua (胡運驊先生), Mr. Liu Chuan-Guan (劉傳剛先生, Director of Hainan Province Penjing Society), and Mr. Zheng Zai-Quan (鄭在權先生, Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Penjing and Artstone Society)

There are more than 2,000 bonsai, antique bonsai pots, and suiseki stones in Qu Yi Garden. And among the 2000 bonsai in the garden, more than 1000 bonsai have already been developed to a presentable stage. While there are bonsai of many different styles/schools in Qu Yi Garden, bonsai of Lingnan style take up the majority in the Wu’s gallery.

For more photos, please visit the album of Qu Yi Garden in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

There are also a suiseki stone gallery and large gallery of antique bonsai pots in Qu Yi Garden. I will put up photos taken in those gallery as soon as I can. Please hang on! Happy Bonsai!! 😉

Bonsai Figurines Featured Articles

Shiwan Figurine Faces

Shiwan figurines are known for their colorful and lively facial expressions. Here I would like to share with you some photos of the faces of these beautiful ceramic figurines.

For more photos, please visit the album of Shiwan Figurine Faces in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

All photos are taken during my last trip to Shiwan, Foshan.

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Suiseki Exhibition in 2010 Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition

Post author By Sandy
Post date February 15, 2011
No Comments on Suiseki Exhibition in 2010 Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition

In 2010 Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition, aside from the fascinating bonsai, there was also a suiseki exhibition, showing some amazingly beautiful rocks. I am sorry for the delay, but I am sure many of you would like to check out photos of the rocks in the suiseki exhibition nevertheless.

For more photos, please visit the album of Suiseki Exhibition in 2010 GZ Int’l Bonsai Invitation Exhibition in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

Suiseki Stone – 孔雀石 (Malachite)
Title – 人與自然 (Direct Translation: Men and Nature)

All the suiseki stones presented in the suiseki exhibition had very beautiful daiza. Not only was the wood base carefully carved to the details of the stone, it also integrated closely to the theme in such an harmony. How could one not love suiseki after seeing all these beautiful work of nature together with such skillful craftsmanship!

Suiseki Stone – 黄蜡石 (Chrismatite)
Title – 風山水起 (Meaning: Things will become striking, extraordinary)

Suiseki Stone – 青花石 (Don’t know the stone type in English, could anyone help?)
Title – 美人魚 (Literal Meaning: Mermaid)

Suiseki Stone – 紅壁玉 (Don’t know the stone type in English too, could anyone help?)
Title – 母子情 (Literal Meaning: Love of Mother and Child)

Suiseki Stone – 戈壁石組合
Title – 守望家園 (Literal Meaning: Guarding the Family)

Bonsai Figurines Featured Articles

Foshan Nanfeng Kiln & Shiwan Chinese Figurines

Post author By Sandy
Post date February 8, 2011
No Comments on Foshan Nanfeng Kiln & Shiwan Chinese Figurines

Shiwan has been known for its beautiful earthenware figurines for hundreds of years. Indeed, the term “Shiwan figurine” is widely used to refer to all sculptures made in Shiwan. While many fans of Shiwan figurines are bonsai lovers who enjoy decorating their bonsai trees with Chinese figurines, others simply love collecting these beautiful artworks, admire the fine, lively details of these handmade figurines.

Last year, with other bonsai lovers, we went to the ancient Nanfeng Kiln – the oldest kiln in China. Here is where the pottery art of Fochan began. The history of the kiln can be tracked back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is just amazing that this ancient kiln still can operate perfectly.

In Nanfeng Kiln, besides the ancient kiln, watching the process of making pottery and figurines is very interesting as well. Below is a video I took of Nanfeng Kiln’s guest figurine artist – Mr Huo Wei Sheng – when the figurine craftsman was making figurines of the eight immortals.

Unlike many modern kilns that have become very sophisticated and can be calibrated to meet very specific temperatures, in Nanfeng Kiln, the traditional pottery making techniques live on. Timbers are put into the kiln and the temperature can reach up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Temperature control is especially important when baking figurines and pots.

Instead of depending on modern day’s instruments, temperature is controlled by the skilled artisans according to their experience. Due to the inconstancy of temperature in the timber-burning kiln, it is interesting to see how all figurines and pots are made unique even though they all are bring into and out of the kiln at the same time.

For more photos, please visit the album of Ancient Nanfeng Kiln – Shiwan Chinese figurines in Happy Bonsai Gallery.

Bonsai Events Featured Articles

2011 Bonsai Show List

It is the beginning of another year, and I have made a list of bonsai shows that will be held in 2011 (excluding bonsai shows in Japan) so for all bonsai lovers to mark their calendars and plan ahead. While this is a long list with most of the major bonsai shows listed, it is not fully comprehensive. To complete the list, I would need your help. If you find a bonsai show that is not on the list (especially those big major ones) or any information on this list that isn’t correct, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know the details.

Thanks in advance and Happy Bonsai!

What?	Where?	When?
Consurso Bonsái Paterna 2011	Paterna, Spain	12-13 February 2011

Noelanders Trophy XII International Bonsai Show	Heusden-Zolder, Belgium	22-23 January 2011

9th Swindon Bonsai Winter Show	Swindon, UK	20 February 2011
Swindon & District Bonsai will host its 2011 Winter Show in The Stratton Community Centre.

“Shohin Off” presented by The British Shohin Association	Norhumberland, UK	19-20 March 2011
Workshops, lectures, critiques, forums, exhibitions, bonsai traders and more

National Bonsai Expo	Coventry, UK	26 March 2011
Bonsai Traders Association holds 3 trade shows every year.

Mistral Bonsai	Spain	2-3 April, 2011
Two days of bonsai workshops, plus Chinese tea tasting, ikebana, live martial arts demonstration and more

Best of British Bonsai 2011	Birmingham, UK	9-10 April 2011
Workshops,exhibitions, and trade fair

Bonsai Slovakia 2011	Slovakia	14-17 April 2011
Bonsai, suiseki and tea exhibition with international cultural and art show, also bonsai demonstrations, tea Ceremonies, music, workshops and more

28th Annual Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies Spring Festival	PA, USA	15-17 April 2011
“Renowned international professional bonsai artists will present lecture/demonstrations, workshops, and critiques of bonsai”; plus exhibition and bonsai vendors

26th Arcobonsai Convention	Arco (Trentino), Italy	6-8 May 2011
“Exhibitions of bonsai and suiseki. Featuring Takashi Iura and the 10th So-Saku Bonsai Award and the 1st Masahiko Kimura Award. Concurrently there’s the 13th Arcofiori.”

Lone Star Bonsai Federation 2011 Convention “Gateway of Bonsai”	TX, USA	13-15 May 2011
Hosted by the Corpus Christi Bonsai Society; Featuring Ed Trout, Bill Valavanis, Sean Smith, and Terry Ward. Details from Yvonne Padilla at myforest@sbcglobal.net.

“West Meet East – East Meet West”	Poland	20-22 May 2011
Demo: Taiga Urushibata, Kevin Willson, Robert Kempinski, Jarek Lenarczyk

24th National Bonsai Convention – Come Together	Perth, Western Australia	20-23 May 2011
Featuring Min Hsuan Lo (Taiwan), Megumi Bennett and Yasuko Aoki; 3.5 full-days of demos and workshops

Atelier do Bonsai	Ribeirão Preto, Brazil	27-29 May 2011
Atelier do Bonsai Mario A G Leal is proud to present its 6th annual BONSAI. Demonstrators Nacho Marin from Venezuela and Bernie Callaghan from Namibia.We have International visitors like Marita Gurruchaga from Argentina, Daniel Daza from Chile, and Louis Nel from South Africa and other Brazilian masters.For more information go to http://www.atelierdobonsai.com.br or contact by E-mail:mario@atelierdobonsai.com.br

National Bonsai Society Annual Show	Southport, UK	29-31 May 2011

6th International Bonsai & Suiseki Exhibition and 2nd Japanese Festival	Vilnius, Lithuania	9-12 June 2011
Hosted at Commerce and Entertainment Centre “OZAS”, Ozo str. 18 LT-08243, Vilnius, Lithuania. Featuring Salvadore Liporace, Vaclav Novak, Keiko Borjeson, and Sae Won Kim. (Thanks Tomas Adomaitis for the information)

38th BSF Convention	FL, USA	10-12 June 2011
Demonstrations and workshops by Ryan Neil and Florida artists; also, bonsai exhibition, auction, vendor night, and more

Bonsai South West 2011	Exmouth, UK	12 June 2011
Exhibits by bonsai societies, traders, sales, etc. More info: Roger on 01392 623 842 or e-mail: brancheseverywhere@live.co.uk

Bonsai in the Bluegrass: BCI/ABS 2011	KY, USA	16-19 June 2011
A joint bonsai event held by American Bonsai Society (ABS) and Bonsai Clubs International (BCI); Demonstrations by international bonsai artists from Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the United States; Bonsai traders and large exhibition

National Bonsai Expo	Middlesex, UK	26th June 2011
Bonsai Traders Association holds 3 trade shows every year.

34th Mid-America Exhibit	IL, USA	19-21 Aug 2011
“One of the largest bonsai shows in the US, attracting over 100 trees, in Chicago Botanic Garden, with its world-class bonsai collection, features the CBG’s bonsai collection, competition, workshops, demos, and over a dozen of the top national vendors from around the country.”

Bonsai World 2011	West Sussex, UK	3-4 September 2011
Leading Bonsai Artists, Marc Nöelanders, John Armitage, Ken Norman and Rammon Hamers, will be holding demonstrations and workshops in the bonsai show. In addition, there will be a variety of Bonsai Trader Stands, together with displays from Sussex Bonsai Group and other bonsai clubs.

African Bonsai Convention	Durban, South Africa	22-26 September 2011
International Headliners: Robert Steven, Bill Valavanis

National Bonsai Expo	Sheffield, UK	25 September 2011
Bonsai Traders Association holds 3 trade shows every year.

European Bonsai Association Annual Convention and Exhibition – “Bonsai in the middle of Europe”	Ratingen, Germany	30 Sep – 2 Oct 2011
Demos: Othmar Auer, Werner M. Busch, Aurelio De Capitani, Serge Clemence, Udo Fischer, François Jeker, Hartmut Münchenbach, Christian Przybylski, Ralf Steiner, Jürgen Zaar; Lectures: Willi Benz and Peter Krebs

Carolina Bonsai Expo	Carolina, USA	8-9 October 2011
Exhibits by bonsai enthusiasts from a six-state region, renowned bonsai marketplace, workshops, demo, Ikebana exhibit, and more

Golden State Bonsai Federation 2011 Convention XXXIV: Bonsai Full Circle	CA, USA	27-30 October 2011
Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) promotes the art of bonsai throughout California with vendor area, demos, workshops, and more.

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1st Institute of Lingnan Penjing Competition

Post author By Sandy
Post date January 13, 2011
1 Comment on 1st Institute of Lingnan Penjing Competition

As a step to promote penjing (bonsai in Chinese) to the public and add some spice and fun for our club members, Institute of Lingnan Penjing, Hong Kong (香港嶺南盆景藝術學會) held its 1st internal competition on December 12, 2010 at its workshop in Yuen Long. Every penjing club member was requested to participate in the competition. While every member must bring at least one penjing for competition / display, one could bring and show as many penjing as he/she wanted. For simplicity’s sake, there were only two categories in this competition – penjing less than 30cm and penjing over 30cm. While penjing of all sizes and styles were welcome, penjing-in-a-bottle, the non-traditional penjing / bonsai style, could not enter the competition, but only qualified for display.

Because of an important appointment on the same day, I couldn’t attend the whole event but only the setup stage of the competition. I missed not only the competition winner announcement, but also the pot-luck style luncheon afterward. That’s too bad for me 🙁

This beautiful piece is made by Teacher Wong. Teacher Wong calls this type of penjing “瓶景”, and I call it “penjing-in-a-bottle”.

This is my penjing-in-a-bottle, titled “The Adventure of Wherever Door – The World inside the Goldfish”.

You can find more information about the blue creature in my penjing (it’s called Doraemon by the way) in this post – Modern Bonsai – Doraemon Bonsai.

For more photos of the 1st Institute of Lingnan Penjing Competition, you can visit Happy Bonsai Gallery.

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Beautiful Trees in Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition (Part 1)

Post author By Sandy
Post date December 6, 2010
5 Comments on Beautiful Trees in Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition (Part 1)

The Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition in November was the largest bonsai show in Guangzhou ever. In this bonsai show, 800 penjing were displayed (for a reference of the size – the greatest bonsai exhibition in Japan, Kokufu-ten, will display around 250 bonsai in its coming 2011 exhibition). This bonsai show in Guangzhou had successfully demonstrated the charm of penjing, particularly Lingnan penjing – an ancient and unique treasure that reflects the essence of Lingnan garden culture. Besides different parts of the mainland China, a great number of the bonsai displayed were from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand. In addition, 40 golds, 78 silvers, and 169 bronzes were awarded in the bonsai show.

Go to post – Opening Ceremony of 2010 Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition
Go to post – Beautiful Trees in Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition (Part 2)