Masterpiece & Specimen Bonsai

These trees represent the best we have to offer. Many of these specimens are long time inhabitants of our nursery. We have enjoyed watching them grow and mature into the fine trees that you now see. Most of these masterpiece bonsai are of historical importance being started by the original first generation Japanese American bonsai masters on the west coast during the 1950's. We have worked and re-worked these trees over the past quarter century keeping the integrity and spirit of the original artists in mind.
This root over rock American Larch was collected by local bonsai artist Nick Lenz.
It has an amazing presence for its size,also potted in its original pot by the artist.
1126
$4500.00
This American Larch was collected in Newfoundland ,Canada by Nick Lenz many years ago- There is an interesting pictorial of its past styling in his book
9001
Not for sale
this collected specimen Larch is photographed here with my cat Tippy several years ago-This tree was just recently sold.
9009
Not for sale
This magnificent forest planting has been a staple of the Bonsai West collection for many years-It's a large specimen and has just recently been sold-I will miss it dearly
9005
Not for sale
This very old tree was collected by Nick Lenz on the shores of Lake Champlain over 40 years ago. It is estimated at over 250 years old. It is also in an original hand made pot by the artist.  I have been preparing it for  the 2012 National exposition sponsored in part by Bill Valivanis
9000
Not for sale
This Old  Hollywood Juniper was originally from Mr. Hatanaka's private collection. When I had first seen this tree in 1985 I couldn't afford to buy it but always hoped to own it someday.It took me another ten years to acquire it and it has been maturing into a museum quality specimen. Many visiting artists have tried to convince me to remove branches and change the front but Mr Hatanaka had it right from the beginning and I am pleased with the fact that I have restored it to its original beauty
1153
Not for sale
I've always loved this tree, originally grown by California Bonsai artist Shig Mia. The ancient feel with the hollowed trunk and excellent natural dead wood- which is a great contrast to the bright green Hollywood foliage. Guy Guidry wired it in 1995 and I have just rewired it last year
9004
Not for sale
Mr Hatanaka was known as a Black Pine master. I was fortunate to see his nursery during his hey day when many of his works were still around. This is an unusual specimen with very sinuous movement in the trunk
1329
Not for sale
This old specimen Black pine was originally from Shig Mia's collection. He had mentioned buying it from another old timer. Back in the 1980's when I was exploring bonsai growers on the west coast there were a large number of hobbyists living in the L.a. area all eventually becoming the founding members of the California bonsai society-Their spirit lives on in these trees.
1147
Not for sale
This exposed root style Black Pine was originally imported from Korea. Its an archaic form that seems to be under represented in contemporary bonsai. Originally styled by Colin Lewis in our 25th anniversary demonstration, I just finished rewiring it for its third time this week.
9008
Not for sale
Wouldn't it be great to be able to find Japanese maples like this more often. This tree is an old Japanese import with excellent branching and character. You can see that there is a small blemish on the nebari at the roots. this is the only reason it hasn't sold yet. However it has been healing really well over the past 5 years and it is almost covered up completely-It will be perfect in two more years and will be a real find for the new owner
1132
$8500.00
This Japanese Maple forest planting was created from seedlings making it unusually rich in color and texture during the Spring and fall seasons. Its a very large composition and  a show piece for any collection
1136
$2500.00

1145
Not for sale
This is an unusual cultivar of Japanese maple-During the spring and fall it has brilliant color, and during the summer it has a few variegated leaves. It also has a great Japanese pot.
1014
$2175.00
Slanting style foemina
1135
$4500.00
There are several cultivars of needle juniper, this powerful specimen was imported from Japan. Not for delicate hands, the needles are extremely prickly. I've only had this tree for less than one year and it is already responding well to the New England climate and our care. I am really looking forward to its future here.
1146
Not for sale
Another great Hatanaka Prostrata Juniper. I've had this tree since the mid 1980's and I think it is one of my best.  I've keep it in its original traditional style.
1129
Not for sale
Grown in Arizona high country
1080
$5500.00
An unusual Hatanaka Juniper grown in the Literati style.  Prostrata Juniper is difficult material to use for the literati style because it is such a vigorous grower. This tree may be better suited for a windswept style instead.
1141
$4500.00
Hatanaka masterpiece
1154
Not for sale
This is one of my favorite trees in the collection. Mrs Hatanaka was one of the few Bonsai women practicing the Art during the early 1960's in this country. Her signature style is that her most all of her trees are wider then tall. Many visiting European artists including Colin Lewis are bothered by the extended branch and have recommended shortening it or even removing it-That would be a huge mistake in my opinion . I was pleased to have it on exhibit in the 2010 National Exposition
1155
Not for sale
This is one of the smaller prostrata juniper from our collection-Originally grown in California and has great movement trunk caliper-
1149
$2750.00
This Prostrata Juniper  is a raft style bonsai. originally styled by Mr and Mrs. Hatanaka. It was photographed in the 1975 Bonsai in California magazine put out by the California Bonsai society. It was about 25 years old then-Who would have ever imagined then that I would have owned this tree now for another 25 years.
I guess a  half century really isn't that long.
9002
Not for sale
Old Prostrata from Mr Hatanaka's private collection. This tree has recently been re-styled by Kenji Miyata . Its an extremely powerful specimen.
9006
Not for sale
An extremely powerful piece. This Hatanaka Juniper was one of the last trees i purchased from him before he retired in the late 1990's. He had told me it was one of the first trees he had made and it was always in his private collection. I am honored to have it in the Bonsai West collection
9007
Not for sale
This  Pyracantha was originally from the Hatanaka collection.  It is well over 50 years old and an unusual piece, both for its age and lineage. The Hatanaka's were well known for their  Juniper and Black Pine but it is a rarity to have a specimen such as this grown in this country.
1157
Not for sale
One Of my early Kishu shimpaku from Mr Ishii of Chigugo-en Bonsai in Southern California. This Shimpaku was grafted on San Jose  over 30 years ago
0080
Not for sale
This old shimpaku has been in the Bonsai West collection for over 20 years and was originally acquired from  Mr Hatanaka. This tree was started from a seedling in the 1950's and is one of the oldest examples of Shimpaku juniper grown on its own wood in this country
0081
Not for sale
This is a beautiful shimpaku originally purchased from one of the original first generation Japanese American bonsai artists on the west coast. It is a grafted Kishu shimpaku on san jose juniper and has been in in the Bonsai West Collection since the early 1980's
0082
$7500.00
This old specimen was originally purchased from Mr Ishii in 1984.This tree is a masterfully grafted kishu Shimpaku. This was my first specimen bonsai after starting Bonsai West and I have maintained it in its original style.
0083
Not for sale
kishu
1124
$7500.00
One of my Oldest Shimpaku Juniper in the Collection. This specimen tree was originally started by Mr. Hatanaka,  from a seedling during the early 1950's. It is unusual to see such old juniper in this country grown on their own wood and not grafted.
1128
Not for sale
One of the oldest Kishu Shimpaku in the country. Mr Hatanaka started this tree in the 1950's from a seedling and it has been in perpetual cultivation for the past 60 years.  I've maintained it in its natural style and it has impressive dead wood and sinuous movement in the trunk.
1130
Not for sale
Collected in the high the Mountains of California this 400 year old Bonsai was grafted by Mr Hatanaka, It is Shimpaku Juniper on California Juniper. The dead wood is all natural and the bark is a beautiful red. Presented in Rochester in 2009 at the first National exposition.
9003
Not for sale
collected Sierra Juniper
1142
$8500.00
Mr Hatanaka was known mostly for his Black pine and Juniper Bonsai however throughout his nursery during his hey day there were several old unusual species such as this Silverberry. Its been an old friend of mine for over 20 years and just recently I exhibited it in the 2nd  National Exposition.
1156
Not for sale
old import part of the Bonsai West collection since 1997
1144
$5500.00
A very traditional style twin trunk Maple. Great fine twiggy branches and handsome trunk. an excellent specimen
1173
$3200.00