How did you get started? Early in the 80’s my interest in bonsai was sparked by a picture I came across which I found fascinating. There was not much information around then and it was a slow process but I started attending monthly meetings of the British Bonsai Association in Stockwell, South London around 1986 where I met Colin Lewis, Peter Chan and, most importantly Ken Leaver.
How did you learn about bonsai? Initially through books and then from attending BBA meetings . I also subscribed to Bonsai magazine, which became Bonsai Focus from the first issue until a couple of years ago.
Who was your teacher? I got to know Ken Leaver at the BBA and started to visit his nursery on a regular basis. From the start Ken was always very helpful and supportive and still is to this day.In 2007 Ken suggested attending workshops at Windybank with Nobuyuki Kajiwara which I did doing 4 workshops a year with Nobu right up until he returned to Japan in 2019.
Workshop with Nobu
What was the most important thing you learned from him? Nobu had a very naturalist approach to bonsai, he taught not to rush trees and develop them as a tree would in the wild rather than excessive use of wire to bend branches unnaturally. Styling was very much secondary to the health of the tree.
Do you belong to a bonsai club? After the demise of the British Bonsai Association it was a long while before I joined another club but in 2010 I joined Sutton Bonsai Society where I am still a member and in 2018 I also became a member of the Splinter Group.
Your thoughts on bonsai or dreams? Over the years I’ve become fascinated with all aspects of bonsai, especially the displaying of trees. This has led me to appreciating bonsai pots, accents, tables, suiseki and scrolls and to visit Japan regularly over the last 15 years or so.
Do you consider bonsai an art form? My initial response is 100% yes, but on reflection it is the combination of the horticultural skills to keep trees healthy and the creative skills to identify and develop the potential of the tree. I’m still working on this.
Why do you do bonsai? As I’ve said already I just find them fascinating. You are always learning, always looking to get better in the knowledge that there is always more to learn.
Do you have a favourite tree species or size of tree? I like native trees such as hawthorns, blackthorns and Scot’s pines but I also like Japanese black pines very much. I have all sizes of trees but would stick with shohin if I had to pick one size. They are easier to handle, particularly as I get older, but harder to show given that they are generally displayed in groups etc.
Do you have a favourite bonsai? This changes on a fairly regular basis but normally comes back to my chuhin black pine that I have had for a long while now. A few years ago I got a little disenchanted with it as the needles had grown too long ( my fault for over feeding too early) so I decided to sell the tree to fund another trip to Japan. Fortunately as it turned out the prospective purchaser let me down after months of promises so I kept the tree and am glad I did now.
My black pine at Hampton Court flower show this year. On the FOBBs stand by Sutton Bonsai Society. It would have been lovely to have displayed the tree on the Doug Mudd stand that i have for it but not practical.
Do you have a favourite potter? Luckily our visits to Japan have included visiting many potteries particularly around Tokoname. One of my favourite potters is Aiba Koichirou of Koyo Toen who sadly passed away about a year ago. The kiln is now run by his son Aiba Kuniaki (Juko) who also makes great pots. Another favourite Tokoname potter is Yuzikyou Nakano of the Gyouzan kiln who we have visited four times now and who was kind enough to let my wife make a pot with him. A real treat. I now have a Gyouzan pot for my black pine as well as some shohin pots in my collection, he really does make superb pots. Back home in the UK I would say that Gordon Duffett is my favourite potter. Until he moved to the West Country Gordon lived not far from me so it was very easy to take trees to Gordon and discuss what pot would work best. Dan Barton also makes great pots of course and I also have a soft spot for Bryan Allbright pots. I first met Bryan at Wisley when they held bonsai shows there in the 1990’s. I liked one pot very much but did not have enough cash in the days before plastic cards and Bryan said to take the pot and send him a cheque later. Given that I had never met him before I thought that was a very kind thing to do and something I will always remember.
Aiba Koichirou, holding a suiban, now a prized possession
Christine making a pot with Yukizyou Nakano (Gyouzan)
What mistakes have you made? The obvious answer is too many to mention but among them are not being patient enough with trees, trying to push them too quickly. I am also not blessed with the best of memories and forget lessons I have learned and have to learn them again. All the workshops I did with Nobu were great for getting back to basics and refocusing.
Have you experienced bonsai abroad? We usually plan our trips to Japan to coincide with shows there so I have been to Kokofu ten, Taikan ten and Gafu ten among others as well as visiting the World Convention in Saitama in 2017. I’ve also been to shows in Europe including the Trophy in Belgium on a regular basis.
World Bonsai Convention, Saitama
Can you recommend one or two bonsai books? Back in the early days there was no internet and few books available. The book I found the most useful was Dan Barton’s simply called “The Bonsai Book” and now recently re-issued I believe. Of recent books Peter Warren’s is certainly worth looking at.
What is your best achievement? I’m not sure I’ve got one really, I’ve displayed at most of the major shows in the UK over the last 10 years or so, so I suppose it is having sufficient trees of a good enough standard to do so. That and being invited to join the Splinter Group.
Scots pine at Expo 2019
Do you have any future ambitions or goals? To get back to Japan asap and keep working on my trees.
Over the years what has been your favourite bonsai show? My favourite show is definitely Gafu ten, the annual shohin show in Kyoto. We’ve visited 4 times now and if all goes to plan will get there again in January. The other outstanding show was the World Convention in Saitama in 2017, the first time it had been held in Japan for 20 years.
Do you have any other interests or hobbies? Before bonsai took over I was heavily into match fishing which took me all over England competing in matches every Saturday and Sunday until I was in my 50’s and a bad back forced me to stop. I still go pleasure fishing occasionally but not when the weather is too cold.