Craig, brings us another great bonsai book. It's probably the most photographically intensive book on the shelves!

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61371 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

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Customer Reviews

Bonsai Masterclass-October 2006
Bonsai Masterclass-October 2006
This is a new kind of Bonsai Book. I had the pleasure of reading a preview copy in July 2006. Craig Coussins has worked on this book for three years, bringing together some of the most innovative Bonsai and penjing masters from around the globe. This ranges from Singapore to Johannesburg, York to Tokyo. What Craig initially wanted to do was identify nature with Bonsai and many of the techniques shown show natural styles of Bonsai in natural settings. Emphasising this theme early on in the book Craig takes us though some of nature's outstanding landscapes and he marries the teaching of trees in nature to what we try to do as Bonsai artists. This is probably the most photographically intensive book on the shelves and the reason is the many systematic projects throughout. Carrying on from his best selling Bonsai School, this is a truly a masterclass. However, It will be highly informative for beginners as well as advanced due to the many techniques that are covered. This is a book created with passion and dedication. Highly readable as well as a reference book. Nothing is repeated from other books and the images are all unique and clear. As the most comprehensive paper on the history of Penjing and Bonsai has already been covered in Bonsai School, there is no need to repeat that here. Rather the space is filled with entirely new techniques. Since 1986, Craig has been teaching Bonsai all over the world. He started learning Bonsai in 1973. He has been a student of leading masters such as John Naka. He runs workshops and gives demonstrations of his art at many conventions and as he slows down his busy teaching schedule, he is happy to leave behind the opportunity for other artists to learn from each other through his books. His website testimonials can be read at http://www.bonsaiinformation.com/testimonials.htm The book is due for publication in October 2006

Just a picture book
Although this book is supposed to be aimed at the more experienced bonsai grower, showing advanced techniques - a so called 'Master Class', the book falls down on a number of issues. The techniques described in the book will not show you the secrets of how to have stunning bonsai, more show you some wacky ways in which you can create one, the main example is of the Acer that is created by fusing around a hundred seedlings together! There is another large chapter on creating jin and shari. Again, not really a master class, but a picture collection of some other bonsai masters (obviously friends of the author) creating jin and shari on trees. This doesnt mean its not interesting, but i dont think the title gives a good impression of whats in the book. The bonsai 'classes' however only take up a small fraction of the otherwise hefty book, with the main bulk being showcases of other bonsai artists trees. There seems to be no coherence or flow to the book, and this makes reading difficult.
Interesting, but there are better books out there to learn bonsai techniques.

Bonsai Masterclass
I have met Craig for the first time in Bruges, Belgium somewhere in the nineties where he was one of the leading demonstrators at the European Bonsai Convention. Since then I have had the honour and the pleasure of meeting and studying with him on several occasions. I knew that Craig was writing this book. I had to wait a long time before I finally could admire it. Yes 'to admire' is the correct word for this masterpiece of a book. But he waiting was worth while! Although that I am still a mere bonsai-amateur, at my current level, I am helped more with photographs than words. And what a photographs this book contains. I will keep this book close to my John Naka-books on the bookshelf. I am already looking forward to his next book! Domo arigato Coussins sensei!