From: Meade at Columbia University
To: Midwest Bonsai
Date: April 14, 2006 3:30:40 PM
Subject: one of the trees on the web site
the first tree is a willow leaf ficus (on the tree page). it has recently come into discussion based on the picture, and i would like to know how to get in touch with the artist to ask a few questions about the tree, or if it would be possible, for safety reasons, for you to relay these questions to the artist? thank you,
meade
From: Larry Larimer <bonsailar@comcast.net>
To: Meade at Columbia University
Date: April 15, 2006 8:59:18 AM
Subject: RE: one of the trees on the web site
Dear Meade: The first tree is a willowleaf ficus trained to grow on a dead trunk of another tree. (I do not know what). In bonsai parlance this is called a "badger" and some judges will not even judge them. The judge in this case gave the artist a ribbon of merit. Judges do what they want to do.
I will find Gerald's e-mail and ask him any questions you wish. I am sure, once I contact him, he will be delighted to communicate with you. At present, I do not have his e-mail address.
Larry Larimer
From: Meade at Columbia University
To: Larry Larimer <bonsailar@comcast.net>
Date: April 15, 2006 6:00:00 PM
Subject: RE: RE: one of the trees on the web site
I believe, that is the translation of tanuki and it has to do with the badger hiding and pretending to be something else, as in willow leaf is hiding and not being a true willow leaf, i think that's what they had told us in 8th grade. thanks for the info i will pass it on, and if you do get a chance i would be curious as to what the other word is. thank you very much for your help.
meade
From: Larry Larimer <bonsailar@comcast.net>
To: meade at Columbia University
Date: April 15, 2006 8:59:18 AM
Subject: RE: RE: RE: one of the trees on the web site
Meade,
A tanuki indeed it is. Warren Hill uses the term "badger" which may be a translation of tanuki. I do not know what the trunk is. I may be able to find out. In Japan the tree would not be allowed in a show.
Larry
From: Meade at Columbia University
To: Larry Larimer <bonsailar@comcast.net>
Date: April 15, 2006 10:52:31 AM
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: one of the trees on the web site
why thank you, we were debating if it is a tanuki or not? this is my main question. I believe the translation is the same, as you carve a dead trunk, probably a buttonwood in this case and then attach a tree to it, almost like a phoenix graft but slightly different. thank you for passing this info along, I am just attempting to find out so I can report back to bonsaichat.org and confirm what people were discussing or tell them what it really is. again thank you very much
meade
