Juniper bonsai (Juniperus) - Height (Tree): 33 cm - Depth (Tree): 42 cm - Japan

Exceptional Tanuki (Phoenix Graft) Juniper Bonsai – Powerful 8 cm Trunk – Dramatic Deadwood – Sculptural Natural Composition

Offered for auction is an exceptional Tanuki (Phoenix graft) Juniper bonsai, a highly expressive and sculptural composition that combines ancient natural deadwood with a vigorous living juniper, creating the powerful illusion of a centuries-old tree shaped by extreme natural conditions.

This bonsai immediately stands out for its remarkable deadwood structure, characterized by strong torsion, natural twists, hollows, and weathered grain. The deadwood shows clear signs of long natural aging, with pronounced texture and movement that give the composition a dramatic, almost architectural presence. Vertical and horizontal deadwood elements interact dynamically, enhancing depth and visual tension.

The living juniper has been expertly integrated into the deadwood following the natural flow of the wood. The live vein runs harmoniously along the old wood, reinforcing the realism of the Tanuki technique and creating a convincing fusion between living foliage and ancient structure. The result is a composition that feels natural, balanced, and visually mature.

The trunk thickness measures approximately 8 cm, an impressive dimension that provides strong visual weight and authority. The plant reaches an overall height of approximately 33 cm, while the canopy spreads to about 42 cm, forming a wide, well-developed silhouette with excellent horizontal movement.

The foliage is dense, compact, and healthy, with fine-textured needles and a rich green coloration, indicating excellent cultivation. Branching is well distributed and already expressive, offering both immediate impact and long-term refinement potential for the next collector.

The composition is planted in a rectangular ceramic pot (approx. 5 × 9 × 15 cm), sober and understated, chosen to support the dramatic structure without distracting from the powerful deadwood and foliage interaction. Natural moss covers the soil surface, enhancing the miniature landscape effect and reinforcing the sense of age.

This Tanuki bonsai is inspired by harsh alpine and coastal environments, where junipers survive clinging to dead wood and rocky substrates under wind, sun, and time. Such high-quality Tanuki compositions are highly sought after by advanced bonsai collectors, as each piece is inherently unique and impossible to replicate.

⸻

Specifications
• Species: Juniperus (Juniper)
• Style: Tanuki / Phoenix Graft
• Trunk thickness: approx. 8 cm
• Plant height: approx. 33 cm
• Canopy width: approx. 42 cm
• Pot: Rectangular ceramic pot, approx. 5 × 9 × 15 cm
• Condition: Excellent health, stable and well-established composition