MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
The Taikan-Ten, one of a handful of important bonsai exhibitions held annually in Japan, takes place at the Miyako Messe Hall in the beautiful and ancient city of Kyoto. This exhibition is unique in that professionals and amateurs alike get to display their trees side by side. The results are interesting with some surprises and at times a show of uneven quality. Regardless, as you will see, the overall caliber is very high and impressive. I was told that until recently, it was prohibited to take pictures at the show. I was lucky that now and I believe for the first time, unrestricted photography was allowed.
Some of the trees on display were familiar to me as I had seen them before in blogs or photos from past shows. A couple I had even seen at the sales area from pictures taken at the Green Club in Ueno Park.
Please note that not all trees are represented here, I was however able to photograph a good portion of them.
On a Friday, a day before the Taikan-Ten exhibit opened, I took the bullet train, the Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Kyoto. Amazingly, the trains all run exactly on time. Not a minute more!
On the way down to Kyoto, sometimes, if you're lucky, you can see Mt. Fuji. This time I was able to see at least part of it. It is very impressive and much more so in person!
Miyako Messe International Exibition Hall the morning before it opened its doors to inaugurate the 35th Nippon Bonsai Taikan-Ten exhibition.
Inside, the lobby was crowded and people were anxiously waiting for the doors to open to the exhibit at 9 am.
As you walked in into the exhibit, the entryway was decorated with some mosses, plants, rocks and gravel.
The space inside was clean, spacious and brightly lit.
Now let's see the exhibit!
Some of the trees on display were familiar to me as I had seen them before in blogs or photos from past shows. A couple I had even seen at the sales area from pictures taken at the Green Club in Ueno Park.
Please note that not all trees are represented here, I was however able to photograph a good portion of them.
On a Friday, a day before the Taikan-Ten exhibit opened, I took the bullet train, the Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Kyoto. Amazingly, the trains all run exactly on time. Not a minute more!
On the way down to Kyoto, sometimes, if you're lucky, you can see Mt. Fuji. This time I was able to see at least part of it. It is very impressive and much more so in person!
Miyako Messe International Exibition Hall the morning before it opened its doors to inaugurate the 35th Nippon Bonsai Taikan-Ten exhibition.
Inside, the lobby was crowded and people were anxiously waiting for the doors to open to the exhibit at 9 am.
As you walked in into the exhibit, the entryway was decorated with some mosses, plants, rocks and gravel.
The space inside was clean, spacious and brightly lit.
Now let's see the exhibit!
