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BONSAI MASTER BEN OKI (Live Demonstration Photo Essay) The Nashville Bonsai Society members were graced with an intimate evening with a bonsai master on May 16th, 2003. Dr. Malcom Lewis graciously opened his home for dinner and bonsai demonstration to about 7 members and spouses. Ben Oki arrived precisely on time and started within a minute of arriving, rapidly examining his first tree of the evening. He evaluated, trimmed, cut, wires and sketched 9 trees over the course of about 3 hours. Each member received a signed and dated sketch along with their bonsai trained tree by Master Ben Oki. All guests were members of the Nashville Bonsai Society which meets monthly OTHER SESSIONS> Hinoki Cypress Session ... Chinese Elm Session Send e-mail to Jan Bauers at bauers4@aol.com with questions or comments regarding |
A Nashville Bonsai Society Sponsored Event |
May 16th, 2003 6 pm - 10 pm at Dr. Malcom Lewis' Home
(ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER Session)
Photography by Tony Gerber unless noted otherwise.
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(Trees patiently awaiting their turn) |
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Some of the bonsai trees brought by Nashville Bonsai Society members. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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Opening moment at 6:00 p.m. (Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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Opening moment at 6:00 pm seconds before Master bonsai artist, Ben Oki (approaching tree) , starts orchestrating sculpture on Randy Lewis' (standing at far right) nearly 150 year old Rocky Mountain Juniper collected and potted 3 years ago. photo by Heather Gerber MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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(Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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The cutting starts with juniper flying off in all directions. Randy, who owns the tree, stands in background, having to get a beer for this one. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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(Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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Mr. Oki cuts on a branch as he further tailors this tree. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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Creating "Jin" (Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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Mr. Oki creates a "jin" on a branch near the apex that is no longer needed as a living branch. Notice the natural deadwood coming towards us by a branch at the bottom of the first curve in the trunk. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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Creating "Jin" (Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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Mr. Oki creates a "jin" on a branch near the apex that is no longer needed as a living branch. Notice the natural deadwood coming towards us by a branch at the bottom of the first curve in the trunk. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
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Finished Tree (Rocky Mountain Juniper Session) |
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The completed tree will make a fantastic specimen in a few years as the pads fill out. MASTER BEN OKI LIVE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION |
