TANUKI 狸・貍, MUJINA 狢・貉, MAMI 猯・貒
Magical Fox-Like Dog with Shape-Shifting Powers
Trickster & Spook, Originally Evil, Now Benevolent
Modern-Day Icon of Generosity, Cheer, and Prosperity
Found Often Outside Japanese Bars & Restaurants
If tanuki is a trick then how much of the various techniques that we apply to bonsai are also tricks ? So long as there is no intention to deceive by way of claiming that a tree is something that it is not , is that okay ? For me the key phrase from the above definition is ” originally evil, now benevolent ”
This is certainly one of the best tanuki that I have ever seen ! Unusually Len used Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi as his choice tree species. Of course, he has been working hard at this image for a lot of years now but his efforts are really paying off now. Lovely Walsall Ceramics oval that he has it planted in as well.
Another Japanese larch tanuki but this time in the han-kengai or semi-cascade style. Not nearly so many years of development but the image is coming, bit of work needed refining the deadwood also. Still in a mica training pot.
Even younger in terms of development in this the final example of Larch tanuki in this trilogy of ” evil ” bonsai. At chuhin size and also in a mica training pot there is scope for plenty more work on this tree.
Check out all three ex Len G. trees on our on-line shop at www.willowbog-bonsai.co.uk
