And I'm spent...

A tough two and half weeks finally draws to a close with a long drawn out stretch of burning the midnight oil. A plethora of pots, stands, stones and books needed to be packed up and sent, and seeing as this was all my own doing, it was difficult to do during the day when the Chief required me to be doing all manner of stuff. Still, everything got done eventually and now I'm done and ready to go home.

My relationship with the Chief continues to evolve and change as we both get older and less dependent on each other. It is a double edged sword for a master to see his apprentice begin to work successfully on his (or her) own, on the one hand he is happy that his efforts in producing a capable professional have been successful, but on the other hand, the more the apprentice is busy with his own life, the less time he can spend helping out. Apprenticeships in other fields can involve the idea of noren-waki, or splitting the curtain. Now this is not schoolboy terminology for some deviant practice, but it means that an apprentice can take on the name of the shop where he studied and open a branch, traditionally in a town far far away. This concept is still alive today particularly in the restaurant trade, where an aspiring chef would study under a master and then once capable of producing food of the same quality, he goes and spreads the sushi or whatever. It was an early form of franchising I guess.

Now, in the bonsai world, there are no curtains to split, but what occasionally happens is that a student will take one of the characters from the name of his masters nursery if he is starting up a new nursery, other than that there are no similarities, and to be honest, the bonsai world is unique to a certain extent at how much you are still umbilically tied to your master throughout the rest of your career. You are expected to help out, work together and create a family. This is perhaps due to the lack of definite schools that you would see in much more historically rich art forms such as tea or ikebana. The lack of organisation gives the bonsai world a fluidity which can be very useful, but also plenty of grey areas. The politics of business can be difficult to read and change with the wind. Thankfully the Chief is fairly open about such things and openly discusses things in front of his apprentices. This year in particular I have been very appreciative of standing under the Shunkaen umbrella. It adds a certain weight to business transactions that some people studying at other nurseries simply will struggle to get. I told the Chief this last night in our manfully tearful farewell chat. We don't speak a lot, but there is still a comfortable ease and a feeling of missing the time that we used to spend together. Even now, on the balance of it, I have spent more waking hours in my life with the Chief than I have with Lady Saruyama.

During the demo up at Willowbog, Ryan made a comment when asked about the massive number of foreign short term students/pseudo apprentices in Japan at the moment. I had never thought about it before, but staying for just a short term means that you do not become part of the family and the bond is weaker. On average, three years is enough to learn the skills for an apprentice to become proficient at bonsai, and for some it appears to be only two; so why stay the extra years?

Although I have been busy with my own business and spent very little time with the Chief, we had a few select moments where we jumped back in time. I can't speak for him, but it was a heart warming moment to know that even as things change and evolve, the core remains the same. The one moment above all else that sticks out is the sheer fun that we had displaying this tree.

It arrived in the garden on the 13th on the request of a client who wishes to sell it as it belonged to his late father. It is a relatively famous white pine with the name Seiki no yume. Or....dream of the generation? Dream of the century? Dream of the future? The thing with some of these names is they are difficult to translate...but in japanese it is a pretty bust ass name. It was originally grown and named by Murata Kyuzo of Kyuka-en fame and the author of the "four seasons of bonsai" book, (or something similar) which is possibly one of the top three must have books for any bonsai enthusiast, especially those who are tired of big trees and dead wood. For an understanding of where my aesthetic influences come from, read this book.

Murata was a dude, he did bonsai in the old school way because he wrote the old school manual. Trees made slowly, not overly worked and showing very little signs of the human influence that very definitely and deliberately shaped them. If you are looking for "naturalistic style", look no further. This tree and the naming of it is testament to his commitment to bonsai for the future generations. The name implies the tree has a future to be excited about, even if, and perhaps especially because, you will not be there to see it yourself. What a difference to the "I want it now and I want it for me" attitude that is prevalent in modern bonsai, and I don't just mean in the west, the same applies in Japan too.

Well, getting back to the Chiefly moment, we set up the display together, the Chief calling me over to be his sounding board and lifter and shifter. It is difficult to describe the sheer joy that you can have putting a display together, watching the combination of items come together and work in harmony. We sat and worked our way through a number of scrolls, pulling them out and discussing them and their suitability, all the time talking about (or rather being talked at) the importance of tree, the name and the possibilities for showing this in a display.

The Chief, despite his name and powerful aura, does have listening ears and asks the opinions of those around him. I soon learnt early in my apprenticeship that he likes to be contradicted from time to time, as long as the point is valid as it often gives a better result and stops him from getting stuck in a rut. The trouble with the current apprentices is that they haven't the ability to say no to him, nor the wherewithal to think outside of the box. We used to have great fun (and occasionally not so much fun) putting displays together back in the day. It is one of the things I dearly miss from my time spent here.

Textbook rule freaks will surely point some basic flaws in the display but I personally thought that the stone flowing off to the wrong side gave the display an even more expansive feel. It is something we talked about, and it was on my goading that he did it. He wanted to, but thought people may contradict him, so I said, "rules don't matter for someone like you"', at which he gave a cheeky smile. The migrating birds flying up and over the mountains away to a warmer, better life somewhere far beyond the enclosed space that a tokonoma can come to represent. I felt moved not only by the experience of playing display with the Chief again for the first time in ages, but also by the story of the tree, and both the history present and the future yet to come.

A fitting tribute to my stay perhaps, and as a fitting tribute to the Chief...

Onwards and upwards.

 

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After the festival...

I am a massive fan of proverbs, sayings and word play, so learning Japanese was a whole new avenue for ridiculous sayings. One of my favourites is ato no matsuri, or after the festival. It literally means after the festival and can be used to say stuff like, the wisdom of hindsight, closing the stable door after the horse has bolted or in this case, the damage has been done. That is kind of how I feel now it's winding down. Yesterday we packed up the majority of the sales area in the dark and went home for a well deserved meal and I treated myself to some alcohol. Not too much mind. The waiting around was the hardest bit, there is an order to letting people in and pack up, and although we were in the second group, I felt like the Dauphin the night before Agincourt, thankfully we fared a little better than he did.

Would it were day! Alas, poor Harry of England! he longs not for the dawning as we do...

 

The day however was ours, and we trooped home, like tired and weary men at arms to some chicken and assorted meats on a stick. Thankfully no horse meat this time. The shop we went to was close the the Chiefs, but it was my first and last visit. It was tasty if not a little too on the salty side but this picture frightened me a little

Im not sure if that is supposed to be a thumbs up or something inappropriate. Either way the apprentices all had a relaxing time as battle stories were shared and tales told of those who didn't make it.

 

Needless to say, I slept like a baby last night.

The day after the night before was a long one too, taking down the rest of the sales area and also the exhibition. Although it was over, there was still an eery beauty about the place, trees past their best, a sense of moving on to the next big task and planning for the future. Maybe that was just me though, most people just seemed relieved.

The sales area was even more lonely and deserted, where once there were occasional throngs of customers and more trees than you can look at in a day, now there was the remnants of what we had worked so hard to put together.

It was a bittersweet day, mainly because the weather turned nice and we were bathed in warm sunshine and a beautiful aozora or blue sky. Regular readers may remember the aozora satsuki episode, and there is nothng quite as beautiful as deep blue sky on Japanese winters day. It seems to go on forever (which it in fact does).

Obviousy the trucks are not the nicest thing, but this is Tokyo.

After the exhibition is the time to be careful with the trees, most trees are damaged after the show by poor care. Buds have opened and growth has occured due to the warm temperatures in the exhibition hall. On these chojubai's you can see just how green they have become.

Akiyama looks on, planning the position in the green house for when they get back. You wil notice as well that the flowers appear orange rather than red. This too is a result of a lack of sunlight. They need an immediate watering then protecting from the elements for at least a couple of weeks if not months, until the weather catches up with their biology.

Now after the festival, I am faced with sorting out all the stuff which was purchased...shipping pots, stands and stones out and taking trees to the respective exporters. Athough the fun is over, now the hard work begins...still, at least I'm not in a suit...and for those of you who don't know what that looks like...

Here I am, bald eejit heed, mini mutton chops, steptoe gloves and my Numancia scarf I have been trying to lose for ten years. Im hard at work on the Pad, working deals and also writing these ridiculous blog posts. It has been fun, at least I have had something to talk about this time. Im in Japan for a few more days, hopefully I can get everything done, so I had better stop this and get on with it...

 

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It's the final countdown....

We're leaving together, but still it's farewell. And maybe we'll come back, to earth who can tell?

Lunchtime on the final day and everyone, and I mean everyone, is ready to leave. A dearth of clients, a cold, cloudy day and a sense of despondency hangs in the air like a stale fart trapped in a lift. A few people have done well, a few have done ok, some less so. There was a tremendous lack of international visitors, maybe only 30 to 40 in total. Gone are the days of bus loads of visitors, even though the exchange rate is improving in the favour of visitors. Even though I have complained and moaned, Kokufu is an absolute must see once in the life of any serious bonsai enthusiast. There is nowhere better...yet.

Im struggling to find anything left to buy and then have bought from under the table. Maybe some tools or something. There has been very few high quality stones this year. Nothing that really sunk my ship. There was this stone however which reminded me of a certain honey loving character.

I normally hate the "I can see a dog licking an ice cream in a shed" type approach to suiseki, because lets face it, they are just rocks, but therewithin lies the depth and interest. Comparing a rock to what we see everyday with our eyes is as shallow an interpretation of suiseki as there can be. The depth comes from a holistic approach, a sense of history and a slightly more cerebral and dare I say it, spiritual approach to viewing stones. Simple structure and shape is the entrance, forgetting the shape and seeing beyond is possible with the right approach. Next year there will be a massive suiseki exhibition at the same time and place as the Kokufu, so it will be interesting to see the response. A lot of effort is being put into it, so lets hope it bears fruit.

Speaking of bears...

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.

"So it is."

"And freezing."

"Is it?"

"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

 

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A slow day...

Today is a national holiday but even so, its quiet. Its like the end of a party when nobody is going home and the hosts want to tidy up and go to bed.

View to the right...

And empty to the left. We create a bottle neck with our stove and chairs...slows people up.

For some sellers, there have been very few red tags put on trees, for others, there have been plenty. Selling at any event depends on a few things, one is bringing what people want, the other is pricing them correctly and the third is to be active, friendly and actually want to sell. I never really thought of myself as a salesman, nor do I want to be, but thanks to the efforts of the Chief, Akiyama and the pressure of paying rent I have been able to function in the marketplace fairly successfully. Sadly there is little or no profit to be made unless you actually are selling your own trees...and so now I have been a little bit less busy today...in fact I have been twiddling my thumbs, I went shopping...and I'm an absolute fool. Lady Saruyama will not be pleased.

What on earth was I thinking? I got it from Kiyama-san...I always buy something from him because he brings crazy ass stuff like this. It will be a pimp tree in a few years though...if I can figure out what to do with it. Seems someone else likes it...maybe I can hammerfist some thing out of it.

This pot was another morning stroll purchase. A lovely Shuzan pot which had a tiny little crack, not noticeable really. It has great patina and an elegant line so I thought I would bring it back and put a tree in it...but some body bought it. I really should put my stuff underneath the table.

It isn't just me that has been buying stuff. Akiyama bought some scissors but I think he should get his money back. They are as wonky as my eye...

 

He got robbed there...

Maybe it's time for a walk and find another pot...

Addendum: I didnt find a pot. But I did find this.

A tree that has been at every sales area since I can remember...its a super old super mochi-komi'ed up white pine which barely grows. Has barely changed since I met it. Pictures don't do it justice. Its a true pot grown shohin bonsai. Not thick, not powerful, but old and compact, perfect leaf type...plus the guy who owned it has been talking it up since I first picked it up. Finally it has been moved on to me...where to next I wonder?

Addendum two. It's not often that you complain to make sales, but of the 7 things I bought so far, five have already sold...in one day...bought in the morning, sold in the afternoon for little more than I bought them for. I shut one pot away but the customer dug it out...

Here is Akiyama selling my pot. It was a very early Shuho pot, unglazed, rough and ready...still had the original price on so I couldn't raise it any more even though it was. Too slow for my own good. The customer asked for a discount, but there was no way...he was robbing me enough as it was.

The worst was kept for last. Some lanky blond american dude came up to me with some sob story about his father and asked me for the first tree I bought...and like the soft touch I am...

Robbed.

Akiyama told me to look on the bright side, at least I have an eye for saleable items, and the pots would have broken on the way home anyway. I made almost no profit and lost all the items I wanted to take home. How does that work?

Today has not been an onwards and upwards day...rather treading water and going nowhere.

 

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Into the home stretch...

We are now well passed the half way mark, into the home stretch but not yet home free. The weather has turned the corner, although the wind is whipping my now bald heed...perhaps doing an Eejit was not the best idea. If I get some time, I must buy a hat.

Sales at the club are slow and customers few. Despite the move to the museum, and an incredible number of visitors on the days after I went in the snow, they don't seem to be coming to the sales area. Tenteason for this is the lack of advertising at the show...partially because of the non commercial nature of the museum, partially because whereas in previous years there have been three shuttle buses, this year there are only two, leading to a 40 minute wait to get on the bus. Many people gave up and so didn't come to the club. The sales areas at European and American shows are so much better in comparison, actually inside the shows...the sales area at the Artisans Cup in Portland sounds as though it will be truly awesome, so Im looking forward to blowing some cash there...

Speaking of blowing cash, I spent some yesterday...walking around the sales area I found a seriously good pot at a very reasonable price. Can't believe it took me so long to find it...my wonky eye is getting wonkier. It is an Shukuho, an early piece, lovely thick glaze, elegant shape, not too deep. Very very useable pot. Lovely stuff.

 

Glaze me up..

 

Now I need a tree to put in it.

They weren't the only pots that had me surprised...these unglazed clay body pots were on sale...and according to the sign, it s the first time ever in Japan...possibly

A few new trees arrived today, a wonderful juniper, which soon sold,

This is probably the second best juniper here...after this bad boy...

This used to be at the chiefs until it went a bit funny...then it went back to the original owner. Wouldn't say no to it....And an Ezo Spruce which I want. Bad.

Although I wouldn't function well with one arm, one leg and a single kidney.

The Chief has been doing well at home as well, although we only meet briefly in the evening and the morning. A quick look around for a table for a client and I found this awesome Meiji Period table.

The detail on the top is incredible. Never seen it before.

Doug Mudd may be getting a call sometime soon...

As much as I enjoy coming back for the trees and the show, it is also a time to meet up with people. I get on very well with most dealers, thanks in part to my education from the Chief. He was always insistent on making yourself known and giving proper aisatsu or greetings. Some apprentices stay meek and some ignore other people thinking that they are enemies or that they are above saying hello, but I would be reprimanded if I didn't say good morning, please and thank you. This goes a long way in any culture, but especially Japan.

One of my favourite professionals is Mizukoshi-san who is mainly a Satsuki man but deals with a little bit of everything. Sadly he is getting chronic arthritis and may have to give up. I hope not because he is always a laugh and a joke.

Good times Trev.

Akiyama continues to hustle, selling a tree out of the back of the van this morning like it was a car boot sale. It wasn't intended that way but the customer he was arranging to meet came before the club opened. He has already equalled last years total with a two days to go. Even with a lot of sales, there is still a lot of expenses, the sales area rental alone is some £2000 for the week.

If only we could shift this one tree...we would be sailing smoothly

A collected hokkaido taxus...if I had it in Europe it would be easy to sell.

This is the juniper he is thinking of buying to work on for ten years...sell the taxus and buy the next piece of material.

Or maybe this chuhin chojubai, with juniper as the accent tree...couple of years and kokufu will be on the cards. (The big one...not the crappy little one...thats mine)

Last couple of days and the schedule should ease up...thats the plan anyway

As always, tired and running on fumes, but aiming for more.

 

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Having a field day...

After the trip down to Shizuoka, today saw a trip up to the windy badlands north of Tokyo. Although usually I am glued to the sales spot with Kokufu, but today I managed to get out of my suit and into my normal jeans and hoodie. I feel like a new monkey. Guiding clients around requires the ability to keep switching between English and Japanese, staying on top of prices, figuring out rough conversion rates, making sure the professional is happy and the clients are happy and keeping records of everything. I am not a massive technology fan, but the Ipad is without doubt, the greatest help to my existence since Ventolin.

A trip to the garden of Mr. Morinae is always an interesting experience. He has more stuff than you can now what to do with...hundreds of trees, more pots and even more stones. Morimae and I have worked together on many things dating back to the Car Exhibition in the Science Museum, London way back in the day. He is a crazy guy whose brain works at 100 miles an hour. Keeping up with him is like keeping up with the Chief ten years ago...almost impossible. Some of the stuff in his garden....

A prunus mume that turned my head. Ooh, look at you. Red flowering types like this are known as Hibai but almost all are grafted on to white flowering stock. The few genuine all hibai left are very few and far between....they tend to be weaker and die off sooner. The white base is strong, the red branches are pretty.

A five needle pine that is a little too clean at the moment. Two years, take of the wire and there you have it. Planned naturalness.

Big red pine, one of the most famous in Japan. Old branches, old trunk....just damn old.

One of Morimae's purchases at the green club. Check out the deadwood on the base...with a bit of work, this will be a unique tree...

A genuine yamadori Japanese Black Pine.

One of the difficulties when on a tight time schedule is finding good trees when there are hundreds to choose from. Its kind of easy when there are less around, but looking at thousands of trees in a day and evaluating their merits from an aesthetic, financial and transportability perspective can be tough to focus. It is overwhelming at times when walking through fields of trees...

 

One after another after another...

When you think about all the man hours and effort that has gone into making those trees...all those people all those lives, where are they now? With loves and hates, and passions just like mine, they were born and then they lived and then they died...kind of why I like bonsai really. You are simply one of many who has touched the tree and there will, or should, be many after you who will do so.

Ayway, there has been something for the tree and pot lovers out there, and judging by some of the comments, a little too literally for some...so here the stone lovers can appreciate some rocks on bits of wood.

Sajigawa stones...

Room full of rocks...

Morimae fondling an awesome Kurama stone. Very unusual piece, it is the centre part of a large kurama which has flaked away over the years. Was part of the Sugi collection and was in the Meihinten some 20 years ago (I think)

And finally our lovely assistant for the day...the soon to be leaving and married Yamazaki-san. Amongst other things her note taking skills will be missed.

Back to the club tomorrow and back to the suit and tie...still happy Mr. Eejit? Don't think compliments will get you anywhere...

Onwards and upwards

 

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