22nd Annual Gomangoku Show 五万石展 (Daijuen and Friends)
In December of 2012, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a large local show hosted by Daiju-en. Gomangoku is held every year and it features the trees of customers to Daiju-en, Aichien and other Bonsai family and friends. The show lasted for three days and I was wiped out after it was all over. Being the lowly apprentice and only one of two apprentices around during the setup and tear down, I had my work cut out for me. I made it through it though and was happy to see it all come together. But enough of my complaining, let get on with the show! In this post I’m going to share photos of most of the trees that were displayed, the sales area, photography and the setup. If you would like to see the 21st Gomangoku show of 2011, please click here.
As always, unloading the multiple vans filled with trees helped warmed up my body. Many of the trees were set up on this tarp temporarily while the backdrops were being built.
That same morning, photography started and I was there to help with the setup of the trees. Here’s an awesome root over rock Trident Maple being shot.
The Show
Visitors of the show were greeted by this large Black Pine. Not too shabby for an entrance tree.
Every year, the show would have a special corner with a modern design to display the trees. Pretty interesting and gives me some ideas.
On another corner of the room there is a garden display. I remember building those fences last year for the show!
A dwarf Kumquat. We need more of these as Bonsai in the U.S.
I thought this was a cool accent. The figure is made of bronze.
Here’s a Needle Juniper. Look at those big lips on the pot!
A nice twin trunk Japanese Maple
I really liked this bunjin Needle Juniper.
Very interesting Red Pine. The trunk is in the front and the foliage is behind it. Quite unique and I did a double take the first time I saw it.
Here’s a heavy and strong Trident Maple
I thought this table for the Trident was quite nice. Note the different wood used for the border and the interior. The interior wood is quince burrow.
Here’s a nice bunjin Shimpaku that was also in the last Taikan-ten.
Here is a cool root over rock Japanese quince.
One of the many interesting accent plants at the show.
Here is a bushy root over rock Shimpaku! We don’t see that everyday.
Here’s a big Black Pine. Very strong main branch.
A nice sharp Needle Juniper
Here’s a cool crabapple. Many times people don’t believe me when I tell them this is a crabapple because the apples are so small. I wonder what they taste like?
Bunjin White Pine.
Impressive Princess Persimmon. Tons of fruit! Trust me, the fruit taste terrible…
Here’s a pretty awesome old Black Pine. This tree will make an appearance in Kokufu-ten this year.
There’s always one display row that is made extra deep to hold the biggest trees in the show.
I like this triple trunk White Pine. Very old.
Can you tell which of these fruits were attached by hand on this Chinese Quince? 😉 I like the fruit on the right that looks like it’s barely hanging on.
Hey, I know this tree! This Shimpaku will be making an appearance at this years Kokufu-ten show as well. 😀
Here’s a closer look at the Trident root over rock. I’ve de-foliated this tree a couple of times in the past. Quite old and developed.
A beautifully created Beech! For those that are in the know, you know who made this tree. 😉
Check out the awesome root spread on this tree! Nicely done!
Here is a famous Black Pine. It won the Kokufu prize in the past. Now it’s hanging out enjoying retirement.
I would have to say that this was the heaviest tree in the entire show! My back will never forget this tree. 😉
Here’s a nice twin trunk White Pine. I’m developing more of an appreciation for multi-trunk trees these days.
Here’s what half of the show looks like from above. There’s Mr. Tanaka on the bottom left keeping busy. 😉
Another interesting accent
And another interesting accent!
Here’s a tight little shohin Black Pine. For those of you who don’t know, Shohin refers to the size of the Bonsai. The Shohin size is maxed at 8 inches or 20 centimeters.
A very nice Japanese Quince. The pot it’s in is Tofukuji; a highly valued and collected Japanese pot maker.
I thought this accent was cool!
Here is an interesting root over rock Japanese Maple.
Here’s a small multi-trunk Gardenia.
Here’s a twin trunk Japanese Maple
Here’s a pretty cool Needle Juniper.
Nice three-point display of a clump japanese quince (left) and semi-cascading needle juniper (right).
Here’s a nice multi-trunk Japanese Maple.
This was one of my favorite Needle Junipers in the show.
Here’s a fun three-point display. Both trees are princess persimmons. Apparently, this particular customer loves them and has hundreds of them in his collection.
That is one massive Satsuki Azalea.
Some of the few stones that were at the show. Very interesting.
Beech with some of the brown leaves still attached.
Dwarf Jasmine. This tree was in last years Kokufu-ten
Another nice accent plant.
The one and only Camellia in the show.
I wish we had some tables like this back in the US.
Sales Area
The sales area for Gomangoku isn’t large but there were some interesting things for sale. See anything you like?
I thought these natural root stands were pretty cool.
More sales area stuff. That’s Mr. Mitsuya on the right there.
There’s Mr. Fujiwara setting up his sales area.
Here’s some of the Aichien trees for sale.
I lightly cleaned up this big Black pine for the sale. Mr. Tanaka wants 17,000 dollars for it. Any takers?
Here’s a Needle Juniper that Daiju-en was selling. No where near completed but what awesome material to work with. I like the deadwood features!
Well there you have it, another year another show. I hope you all enjoyed the tour of the 22nd annual Gomangoku show. Perhaps one day you can come see the trees in person. What would be really cool is if you came on the setup day and helped your pal Peter put it all together. 😉 But for now, this post will have to do.
Thanks for visiting everyone!
P.S. If you are actively reading this blog, I would appreciate it if you subscribe to it (right column of the blog). This is one of the best ways for me to know how many people are reading. Thanks!
Very beautiful. Wish I could have one of each shown. Love Love Love them.
Peter, thank you for once again taking us on a fabulous photo tour !!! Paul, REBS
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Thank you Peter for sharing. I agree about the dwarf Kaumquat. There is no reason they should not be grown much more here in the US. I have a couple I’m bringing along and I’m planting all the seeds. I will try to root some cuttings in the spring.
Do you know how they propagate them in Japan? If they can grow there, they should love my So. Cal warmth. Give me 20 years and I will sell you one!!
What’s a wonderful trees!!!! Thank you very much for sharing they with all of us. Best rigards!!!
Fantastic pictures, great comments. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
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Hi Peter
I tried to add a comment, on the web page no luck, can you please put this up for me.
What I was going to say was : I hope that it is a never ending apprentership as I would hate for these reports to end.
You are a natural at putting them together as well as the complete layout very professional & educational for all.
I hope that you may have considered taking this up as an after apprentership occupation?
Regards,
JC
A member of the cid:E9231D6E-B950-4F76-884D-44F7A67582C5@gateway.2wire.net
Hi Peter
Thanks for the post, you have given me some ideas.
Great pictures of great trees.
Regards,
John D Cavey
0419991946
A member of the cid:E9231D6E-B950-4F76-884D-44F7A67582C5@gateway.2wire.net
Great pictures
Thanks Peter for a good journey
Hey Peter – I think you mean quince burl (not burrow). Also I noticed that a few of the trees looked like they were really light or without moss. Is mossing up trees for show another thing we should get less rigid on (even though you see a lot of trees without moss in shows over here)?
Hola peter.Te felicito por las fotos. Me encantaría tener la oportunidad de vivir una experiencia tan bonita como la tuya. Yo he tenido la suerte de visitar Japón pero me gustaría volver para estudiar a fondo el maravilloso mundo del Bonsai.
Looks like a very successful show, thank you for sharing.
Trees like some of these provoke those, “Hey, I didn’t know you could do that!” moments — even in pictures. Thanks for posting them.
Really cool! Thanks for posting so many pictures along with it! 🙂
Hiya Peter, I was sorry to miss the show this year. I’ve really enjoyed it in past years when Mas and I have managed to come. In many ways I enjoy Gomangoku better than the major shows (KokufuTen and TaikanTen). It is small enough to handle, and it is much more like our shows in “feel”. I think gives us something that we can realistically use as a model for us. (Albeit with trees that are much younger and can’t be at that level for many many years even with all of our new Japanese-trained artists developing them!.)
BTW – when are you coming home?
Reblogged this on Kitora no do.
I always in awe of the Japanese Quince with such refined branching, All one has to do is study the amazing ramification on these trees to see what is lacking in the US. It’s that attention to detail and fine wiring that makes such a huge difference in these breathtaking trees and the best best the US has to offer.
maybe you could get some one to show these pictures. ema
Great post Peter! I always love seeing those big ROR tridents over tall rocks, in antique mirror shaped pots! Great looking show! Looks like Ken Fujiwara got lost in the sales area.
Awesome trees Peter. I like the modern display setup…cools!
OBTW, 17,000 dollars….I’ll take two please 🙂
Great Job Peter. All the trees look fantastic. Gee I should of spent the weekend there lol ! Next Time !
I always look forward to and enjoy your posts. Really liking the multiple trunk specimens too. Thanks!
Reblogged this on futterwithtrees and commented:
Yet another superb post from Peter Tea. A wonderful display of excellent trees that are worthy of a look.
Super display, Magnificent trees. Thanks for yet more inspiration Peter.
Felicidades Peter, gran reportaje.
Saludos desde Mexico
Thanks Peter!
Very intensive coverage of the show, Peter. Many thanks. I was surprised by the table with the quince inlay. I had no idea quince would produce that much wood.