What Makes a 'Good' Bonsai? | Bonsai-U

[@astounded]

Jam-packed episode of clearly articulated principles of design integrity. Eastern sensibility respectfully acknowledged and explained. Subtleties, vital to creation and appreciation of bonsai, yet not always easy to convey with language, explicated masterfully. Bonsai U advanced studies! Thank you for sharing the goodness Bjorn!

[@barbangabriele3460]

prob one of the best video about bonsai on YT. great explanation, great image/filming.

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I always look forward to seeing your videos Bjorn!

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Teaching us about mass production trees vs show trees was enlightening . Looking forward to more in the future. Hope your new build in Kyoto is progressing.

[@masterkayaman]

Bjorn, thanks for sharing and enlightening.

[@Rojin_Bonsai_Studio]

Great video. I feel alot of western enthusiasts who are abit over protective on the "rules" need to watch this so Not one just for beginners. Thoroughly enjoyed your explanations and I look forward to the next one.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Loved this video 🙏 Superb narrative, camera work and editing.

[@Pete-z6e]

Bjorn, no excess verbiage, clear , concise , and to the point, well done .

[@matshagstrom9839]

You mean he doesn’t speak like RN?

[@WLLYLOMN]

haha spot on@@matshagstrom9839

[@txkuntryboy]

​@matshagstrom9839 hahaha that man has a way with words. He likes to use all of them in one sentence.

[@Rene_Voortwist]

This has to be one of the best or maybe the best bonsai video I've watched on KZbin. You explain the feeling I get when dealing with people who strictly follow the 'Japanes' bonsai rules. Thank you so much for posting this. And apart from the content, my respect for the way it was filmed and edited. An absolute joy to watch. Take care and all the best.

[@alanfernandomunozvelasco2203]

... Esperando más de un mes este capitulo amigo Bjorn... Saludos desde Colombia, sur américa. Espero que tú nueva casa y familia estén bien. Un abrazo a la pequeña Luna.

[@CoopMauKona]

This is why Bjorn is back home in Japan. It much be hard keep his skill level at the highest level when he doesn't have access to the best material in the world.

[@rspampinato]

Thanks for uploading this. It brought me back down to earth and gave me context again as to what I am trying to do as a hobbyist.

[@Sumuni-z5m]

Your channel is really deep and passionate about matters bonsai. I follow you from Kenya, East Africa and it really inspires me a lot

[@AmgadMedhat]

Same here northern Africa Egypt, although we don't have many species for bonsai

[@Sumuni-z5m]

@@AmgadMedhat you got that right, it's really hard finding some good bonsai specimens from our ends...

[@robertobreglia9224]

Bjorn thank you for sharing this very interesting video! I will take into account everything you said about the aesthetic of a bonsai. Thank you very much again!🙏🔝

[@maylucriandesigns]

A concise video that is thought provoking and respectful to the different ways that bonsai is currently evolving. Bjorn is one of 2 of my favorite bonsai leaders in the bonasai community and is definitely a master in his relationship to his bonsai. There is alot do think about in this video. Thankyou Eisei-en 💚

[@alexandros1973]

Thank you Bjorn, this video is from now on my main reference regarding quality bonsai. Excellent work, very much appreciated 🙏

[@Pawpawlogan]

You're right, tough topic presented and explain clearly. Thanks!

[@andrewavraam4672]

Great episode Bjorn very much enjoyed it

[@christiandgreat8127]

Thanks Bjorn, this is definitely the best bonsai channel

[@ThangDinh]

Very good video. Thanks Bjorn ❤

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Just stumbled across your channel today, and IMO, because of your apprenticeship in Japan, your explanations and opinions about Bonsai art are invaluable. *subscribed*

[@davidhuth5659]

Thanks for this! As an artist who does not do bonsai, there is much to learn in your discussions about beauty, composition and design. Lots to learn from this episode!

[@AlamBonsaiLovina]

Great tips for making bonsai.thank you for sharing knowledge

[@jg00000]

What an episode. Your point around the cost of large mass produced trees being inflated by the import process is absolutely on point. I can totally see how the high cost has been mistaken for an indicator of quality, skewing the western view of good bonsai towards boring green helmets completely missing the real qualities of high end bonsai.

[@mikkonurmi2846]

Excellent video!! Very well explained things that are actually very hard to put into words.

[@lucadanna3425]

This video really packs a punch and I can tell it will have an impact on my growth as a bonsai hobbyist

[@jamessteele1843]

Thanks Björn! Another simply beautiful yet informative video.. always great hearing from you, bud!

[@acer_p_bonsai]

Wow! Phenomenal episode Bjorn! 🙏🏽 I enjoyed the discussion, and the example trees. Goodness, that Back Country Yamadori…perfect tree from nature. What a find!!!😅

[@ablhaseeb]

This video is the first I've come across in 4 years of my journey that beautifully simplifies the essence of Bonsai. The effort put into creating it is truly captivating, turning it into a genuine work of art that resonates deeply. Huge appreciation to Bjorn for dedicating his time to crafting these invaluable gems, generously sharing them with all of us! 😍 Love from Pakistan

[@0sh3n]

Insightful content, beautiful production, exquisite trees... All-in-all an instant classic! Mucho gracias, Bjorn. I will be recommending this for aeons to come... and then some.

[@lukasmihara]

What a great and valuable video. Thank you, Bjorn! The contents as well as the filming were fantastic. There are unfortunately too many people on the internet preaching these "Bonsai rules" while dismissing anything that doesn't exactly match these rules. Thank you again for this valuable insight and lesson!

[@carlosvarela3571]

Ive heard this video at least 3 times, and still learning something new each time.

[@kymjames4128]

Excellent

[@t3dwards13]

Great examination!!! Thank you!!!

[@judymagrath3771]

Thank you for continuing to publish the best videos both in terms of content and quality videography/editing! An absolute joy to watch!

[@manfredmutz1197]

Vielen Dank für das Video.es war sehr interessant. Viele Grüsse aus Germany

[@Bonsajist]

Amazing episode. I love the idea of making natural styles of tress as they would look like in the wild but with a touch of me. I allways loved trees and nature and am happy that we have a hobby where we can have this piece of nature by our side.

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

This is a really great perspective to have about bonsai. Thanks!

[@janzacharias3482]

this is a video of highest quality by all aspects. And it also makes me wonder. I always thought I don´t like the japanese way of bonsai, since they seemed to be to perfect, to contrived. There were trees which you prepared for exhibitions in the older videos that looked nothing like a real tree would in nature. But the way you described it here, I actually find myself very much in the same way of thinking as the japanese.

[@chadwickBU]

New high water mark for focusing learning, framing issues and filling in gaps on my artistic bonsai journey. Looking forward to return to Kyoto with you next year. This, with the how to be an apprentice and how to run a nursery is a fantastic contribution to bonsai education. The horticulture of trees - being regionalized- is particularly difficult. Many of us will never run a nursery but we will "practice" more professionally. Thank you and Congratulations.

[@eduardodickie2551]

Excellent video. It made me understand why some plants that fit the rules didn't arouse my admiration. It encouraged me to study more about the "rules" and what is memorable about bonsai.👏👏👏

[@raynorris135]

Thanks Bjorn , I felt that guy punch several times in Japan at the show , nurseries and gardens. Great explanation

[@sdChandler]

Such a great video with lots of information. I enjoy hearing your perspective. Totally agree with the decision to keep the Jin on the left side of your tree. It’s what makes it special and memorable. I will never forget it. 💛

[@albertmiranda1826]

Bjorn! Thanks for this MASTERPIECE of dissecting. Definitely is my way of seeing Bonsai or at least I try to follow this direction in terms of doing and working my Bonsai material/ pre-bonsai/Bonsais. A lot of super important terms and approaches clearly explained on point for the hole community of Bonsai either you are a beginner or an expert. I think I'll be revisiting this video at least monthly to keep on track. Thanks!!! BLESSINGS from PUERTO RICO!!!

[@pesoverwatch9324]

This helps me a lot. I saw a lot about pruning and buds, soil and feeding, wires and bending and splitting...But my biggest struggle is design. And this gave me a different approach, cheers for sharing.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

I love Japan’s culture and sense of Wabi-Sabi… would be nice to explain Yūgen more too.

[@Mike-126]

Excellent content. Thank you.

[@nicholasehlers642]

Mainly what I got out of this video was this, "Oh god, it was a pigeon! F%*$!!" Seriously though, great explanations about everything and very well worded on something that us Americans get wrong too often.

[@colbyjenkins8413]

This is the best! And the Pigeon 😂 he’s like leave my Breast out of this!

[@AndrewGrontkowski]

Great video explanations and narrative. Aesthetics is hard to explain, but i think you captured the essence of it from both a Japanese perspective and western expectations.

[@thebeardedbonsai]

Absolutely loved this.

[@Niveaufriedhofchef]

The pigeon approved with its touch

[@es-dw4pv]

Great video. Thanks for this important advise

[@OjaiBonsai]

I grew up a pretty honest kid so when you can break the rules and it’s ok- go for it. It’s living art

[@carlosvarela3571]

Great video, learned a lot, thank you! 🙏

[@dshevack1]

Fantastic episode

[@Tombino-nd6px]

I like when small tree looks like big tree, and when its for 360degree view around

[@givetanks]

I'm not sure, as I just try and have fun with bonsai as it's my connection to nature and have fun while doing it. I'm sure I would go to Japan and say none of my tree's would be on that scale.

[@mcbabs7495]

Très intéressant, merci pour la vidéo!

[@danhip2442]

Great material!

[@SubjectiveFunny]

Brilliant video.

[@Andrewnelsonz]

great video!

[@maanjezus8622]

Good video. Accept the rules to your own needs and build from there.

[@kupritbonsai]

Bonsai yang sangat indah sahabat

[@jimjam6598]

Can we see an Eisen-en x Mirai pay per view boxing match?

[@bonsai_life_style]

Yes first thing what I see in Koko fu was Maple that was one of top Maples in show, hade branches opposite each other. I was like ??????😮 Can you do that ?? Now I have one maple Bloodgood that you can't do other than having branches on both sides, and it looks good.

[@toi_techno]

I'll never unseen the picture of a field of bonsai trees Like knowing how a magic trick's done

[@julianomirandadejesus8228]

Exelente

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

How about showing us what a 'bad' bonsai looks like. I know you touched on that at the end, but I did not see any bad bonsai, per se.

[@tlasmuiraqua5049]

for me once i have a understanding of what makes a good bonsai then i evaluate each tree with "do i see a path for this plant to ever be called a good bonsai?" if so given time to nurture and refine etc etc then its just an unfinished bonsai but if the structures are so bad that you dont think itll ever be a good bonsai then its the only time i would call a bonsai "bad". we just have to reserve calling any bonsai good just because its a plant in a pot

[@yoteslaya7296]

There are plenty of youtube channels out there slaughtering trees calling it bonsai which would easily be categorized as bad. Usually the European bonsai channels are the biggest offenders.

[@Not_BlackandWhite]

Love it!

[@ottosevenyhazi9699]

Quick question, might be a stupid one, but when you make a jin how does it grow with the bonsai or does it? I have it in my mind that a dead branch can't grow.

[@atomartin]

This is a great video

[@michellegracy4845]

Inspirational!

[@ernsttencate6699]

Good or bad bonsai also depends on your budget. High qualility bonsai starts with very expensive material.

[@ratdoto2148]

The Japanese word '良い' doesn't quite translate to our English words 'good' or 'nice'. We would use those words in English in the same situation, but while we are describing the thing itself, '良い' is more so describing how you feel about the thing, it can be anything from a mostly pointless passing remark, to 1000 feelings in just one syllable, and you can really hear this in the speakers voice. I've noticed a lot of Japanese words are like this, which can make translations from English to Japanese sound very odd, but because the translation from Japanese to English sounds fine, it's easy for us to neglect these subtleties as native English speakers. You gave yourself a difficult task. How do you summarise what Mr Fujikawa meant when he said a simple phrase to summarise his decades of experience? Obviously, you can't, but you made a great video out of it.

[@tuclance]

*im there in 3 weeks!*

[@raf1717]

0:24 what is that white tree.. it looks so majestic.

[@Kentenshi01]

It might be maple

[@jimbersmcimbers]

Japanese beech

[@curtisnt]

16:07 little bug behind the trunk 😂 Whos that??

[@daniel96011]

What is the plant's name @10:29 :oo does anybody know

[@astounded]

I would hazard a guess of Diospyros rhombifolia (Princess persimmon)??

[@user-ux9gk4xm3x]

이런영상 완전좋음~

[@emiledb]

Tx

[@AMGGuy]

I had no idea there was mass production of Bonsai... Nieve eh

[@DarthMasiah]

👍👍

[@octoberblaze8554]

I just want to know your secret to looking younger again.

[@kl5818]

👍

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@yoteslaya7296]

Good video. However i feel that your perception of bonsai differs greatly from the average collector or hobbyist. You deal with bonsai at the highest levels and have knowledge of bonsai that relates to show quality trees. Most people will have a modest collection that they enjoy and probably wont care if someone thinks their trees arent conforming to bonsai standards or breaking the traditional mold of how bonsai should look. Additionally bonsai varies per region such as American and European trees look drastically different from the Japanese styles.

[@joannemcniff4210]

I'm just happy if I don't kill it. I'm just a backyard hobbyist. If I find something on the clearance table I find a challenge in bringing it back to looking like it's healthy again. I know I'm never going to achieve this level of tree and that's ok, I'm happy with my little unconventional collection.

[@HaraZen13]

Bonsai is Japanese culture. It is a refined and disciplined system of art. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to understand that system. Opinions are moot point. If you want to practice Bonsai, you must learn Bonsai. If you want to do something else - that's not Bonsai. The art of Bonsai is not subject to anyone's opinion, it is applied techniques according to the system.

[@yoteslaya7296]

@@HaraZen13 Its pretty obvious that you dont actually practice bonsai, which you made painfully clear early in your comment so thanks for that. On the contrary all forms of art are subject to opinion. Opinions are indeed not a moot point. If that were the case then every bonsai tree ever created would be an exact copy of each other. As someone who has practiced bonsai for the better part of 30 years i feel its my duty to correct your nonsensical assertions that you made trying to sound intelligent. Maybe something like fortnite or roblox is more your speed. You're welcome.

[@joannemcniff4210]

@@HaraZen13 well look grass hopper once I make the purchase I'm free to practice anything I want. I also have goldfish but we're not out to win any prizes in that department either. I buy what makes me happy and if that offended you I suggest you scroll and move on.

[@michaelkmiec5842]

I just in every aspect of life try my Best to learn as much as I possibly can about it. So idk why you wouldn’t take that same approach into something like bonsai? In Japan they take extreme pride in focusing and dedicating detail into one specific thing. Forgot the actual name of it. But yeah I agree you should take is as a responsibility to understand the system of the living plant you are taking into your care. Seems pretty obvious tbh

[@Book20244]

We all know that staff from Japan that make it here is crap. However you can’t compare trees that have been worked for many years to a “ pre bonsai “ or material .

[@stevephillips6973]

Clearly, I will never have a good tree.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Would a giant Sequoyah make a good bonzai tree.

[@Chillfam]

Bonsai is just a miniature tree. There's nothing wrong how you want to style it, it's a preference but you probably won't win any awards. I look around the trees around my house that's over 50, 70, 100 years+ and they look basic.

[@RutherfordKenzley]

❤😂df

[@DuwaynePetzer-br1qv]

What is a bonsai

[@-martintheengineer-7465]

👍