Often times a new bonsai DVD comes out and I rush to order and get in my hands only to be disappointed because of the excitement, anticipation and expectations that I build up in my head. I am very familiar with the video works of Bjorn Bjornholm and if you haven’t seen his fantastic Bonsai: Art of Japan series on youtube you are missing out. Bjorn had an idea that good bonsai information should be widely available and affordable if not free. This is part of the reason that I was surprised that he created this DVD, I thought he was going to continue on with posting on youtube. That being said I had no idea what to expect from this new offering.
Fujikawa Kouka-en 2013 Vol. 1 is a brief exploration of Bjorn’s teacher’s bonsai. For those who do not know Bjorn is studying bonsai under the well-known bonsai master Keiichi Fujikawa who runs one of the most famous bonsai nursery’s in Japan, Kouka-en. This DVD let us enjoy some of the master pieces at the nursery, individually with a short naritive about each tree, told by Keiichi Fujikawa and I believe some of his apprentices. My only problem that I had with this DVD is the fact that on my widescreen TV the bottom or second line of subtitles were cut off and I couldn’t read them. I am truly excited to find out what Bjorn has in store for us next and I hope that he starts to cover individual techniques in depth, maybe one per DVD.
For $30 it will be hard to wrong with Fujikawa Kouka-en 2013 Vol. 1. If yo enjoy studying true bonsai masterpieces you will enjoy this next great addition to your DVD collection.
Disclaimer: ofBonsai received a review copy of this DVD from Bjorn Bjorholm.
Bjorn … If trying to sell to a U.S. audience would be best to price the DVD in dollars not yen.