The Joy of Bonsai – yes. It is the name of a great “show” put on by the Kawa Bonsai Society in Bunnell in mid-January where Orlando Bonsai is a vendor selling our tools and supplies. There are great speakers such as Sean Smith, Mike Rogers and others giving demonstrations and workshops, and there is an outstanding exhibit.
But the Joy of bonsai is also the great feeling one gets when working (playing) with bonsai. It’s a passion that evokes the emotions one feels when the tree responds with new growth, flowers, fruit or when the wire comes off and the desired movement is achieved. Or when a new root or branch grows in just the right place. Or when the newly repotted tree looks just perfect in its new pot. When new leaves burst out after winter, there is a certain joy that brings a smile to our lips. On days when it may be hard to find a little joy because of life getting in the way, it might be a good day to work with our bonsai and let a little joy in. Or maybe a lot! Find your passion and feel the joy — The Joy of Bonsai.
Today I travelled to Bunnel Florida to attend the 9th Annual Joy of Bonsai. They really do a great job setting this mini convention up. Every year it just gets better. Although I was definitely under the weather I was able to build this highlights video. Be sure to subscribe to OrlandoBonsaiTV after the video.
Over the past weekend I entered my miniature tokonama at the Joy of Bonsai, sponsored by the KAWA Bonsai club. If you haven’t been to it or even heard of it, you are missing out. This small club puts on a world class bonsai convention, display, and demonstration every year, and it just keeps getting better.
Miniature Tokonama
I am really happy with the way it turned out, and I think my composition was simple and balanced. However there was good competition.
Tokonama Contest Entries
When you see close ups of these little tokonama it is hard to judge how small they are. I hope this photo gives a good idea of just how miniature everything is.
Tokonama Competition 3rd place
Although I didn’t win the competition, I did still manage to take home 3rd place. Not bad I guess. I just need to start working on small trees so that next time I will hopefully do better. All in all I really enjoyed the experience
The Kawa Bonsai Club’s, Joy of Bonsai will be held in January and they are lining up a competition for those that participated in the Tokonoma building class last year. All of those that took the class can bring back their Tokonoma with a display set up to compete against each other. Sounds like fun.
Here’s the group from last year in a Photoshop project I did. If you haven’t seen these little displays, you really need to. They are really something special.
