While I've been posting entries full of photographs of some of the very special sites in Japan, I've omitted explaining the purpose of this trip. D belongs to a bonsai group and the trip was planned to be in Japan for the International Bonsai Show (held in a different location every 4 years). So although the first few days were spent seeing several attractions, our next visit was to a bonsai nursery where those who wished to might purchase trees from a master. Today's photos will be primarily of our visit to Mr. Urishibata's nursery. It was my first experience at a nursery with trees of such a high caliber.
First, before we left for the day, D and I took a visit to a small park near our hotel. It was really a special place as you might be able to tell from this brief glimpse. The wisteria in Japan was stunning and this is only one example of those we saw.
A photo of Mr. Urishibata studying one of his trees.
A wisteria bonsai; it's remarkable, isn't it?
A tree that caught my eye as something quite special.
While I enjoyed looking at the trees, I did explore other "photo ops" while the bonsai enthusiasts looked at possible purchases. I found this arrangement of pot and watering can quite beautiful.
I took a wee stroll outside the nursery and found this oddly shaped and completely delightful building down at the corner.
And from a different point of view it turned out to be a cafe!
And I almost literally stumbled across the following wonderful designs on the street utility covers. Since I can't read Japanese the symbols are designs to me.
Back to the nursery, I found this wonderful old pot. But it was certainly too big to take home!
The last picture, those pretty houses against the backdrop of sky and mountains, but I took it because of the foreground - tea! For some reason I had it in my head that tea grew on regular sized trees, and here in Japan it grows on neatly shaped bushes! Certainly makes it easier to pick,don't you think?
What we did later in the day was the real "plum" for the day, but more on that tomorrow.
Again, beautiful photos and I great look into a place I may never get to visit. That wisteria bonsai is absolutely stunning! And who knew that they even made rectangular utility covers in streets?
ReplyDeleteAnd since I never really drank that much tea, I didn't even think what size tree or bush the leaves would grow on. But that's great to have bushes so you don't have to climb ladders just for a cup of tea!!