Recommended Bonsai Books
I remember how frustrating it was trying to get a straight answer to my hundreds of questions. I had too many questions and not enough answers. I still do. There is still so much that I do not know but throughout this blog I will attempt to explain what I know in a simple way that hopefully makes sense.
I have bought over 20 bonsai books and I like them all. Each book gives me some new information that the other books do not. Or they explain something differently and then it suddenly makes sense.
I continue buying bonsai books because I love looking at the pictures and reading someone else's thoughts on the art.
If I had to recommend only one bonsai book it would probably be Debrorah R. Koreshoff's book titled Bonsai Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy.
It is quite detailed and a lot of it won't really sink in until you begin experimenting with trees yourself. I find myself rereading chapters that made no sense to me in the beginning but now things have begun to click.
The other two are from the same author, Robert Steven. He has a nursery in Jakarta. I was lucky enough to track it down and took some great photos of a few of his trees. He is regarded as an excellent bonsai artist around the world. He is not so traditional and has created some magnificent trees.
Vision of My Soul by Robert Steven
Mission of Transformation by Robert Steven
My next recommendation are two books written by John Yoshio Naka.
Bonsai Techniques I by John Yoshi Naka
Bonsai Techniques II John Yoshi Naka
These books are excellent. Some of the best aspects of these books are how the author follows trees throughout many years and the pictures clearly show the different stages of development.
The last one of my favourites is an old bonsai book that I bought on ebay for $5.
The title is Bonsai Culture and Care of Miniature Trees. It is published by Sunset Books.
I love this book as it does a great job of explaining techniques very clearly. I particularly enjoyed reading this section -
Please visit my online pottery shop at AllinoneCeramics for handmade ceramic pieces.
The other two are from the same author, Robert Steven. He has a nursery in Jakarta. I was lucky enough to track it down and took some great photos of a few of his trees. He is regarded as an excellent bonsai artist around the world. He is not so traditional and has created some magnificent trees.
Vision of My Soul by Robert Steven
Mission of Transformation by Robert Steven
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| A Robert Steven's bonsai. I took this picture in July 2012 |
Bonsai Techniques I by John Yoshi Naka
Bonsai Techniques II John Yoshi Naka
These books are excellent. Some of the best aspects of these books are how the author follows trees throughout many years and the pictures clearly show the different stages of development.
The last one of my favourites is an old bonsai book that I bought on ebay for $5.
The title is Bonsai Culture and Care of Miniature Trees. It is published by Sunset Books.
I love this book as it does a great job of explaining techniques very clearly. I particularly enjoyed reading this section -
"Bonsai are not exact duplicates of trees growing in the wild. Rather, they are evocations of the spirit of nature, of the life force of the natural world. They are man made shapes that suggest nature - as does, say, an impressionist painting - rather than duplicate nature, as a photograph might. The artist's feeling for balance, form, and line combine with nature's juices to evoke a larger and deeper concept."
Please visit my online pottery shop at AllinoneCeramics for handmade ceramic pieces.
Mate, you're a prolific poster, very impressive! Interesting vignettes...
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