Sometimes people on the forum say I think I'm an expert. That is not true. I do not consider myself an expert, not even an intermediate, just a passionate amateur.

I look up to the real masters that have trees that are, in my opinion, amazing. Therefore, I was quite surprised to read below quote. I've modified the text slightly to avoid Googling but please don't cheat.

The question:
Can you guess (guess, not Google!) what style is referred to in below quote?

"This is a title invented in an attempt to justify inferior work. These people are too lazy to take the time and dedicate the enormous effort necessary to produce genuine bonsai, or are simply not skilled enough to master the prerequisite techniques, or do not recognize the subtle artistry involved, or altogether do not understand what bonsai is all about. These people, having failed for whatever reason to make the grade, declare their work to belong in a separate but equal category which calls for a different standard by which to be judged. They try to pass their trees off as legitimate bonsai, or even superior to legitimate bonsai, in the vein of the old story "The Emperor's New Clothes""

umm... penjing?

BonsaiLearner wrote: umm... penjing?

Nope

Fairy tale bonsai?

leatherback wrote: Fairy tale bonsai?

Very, very close!

I think I've got it but I won't post it here, just in case.

Yoda is advising Luke as how he should not be bragging just because he has recently learned to use his laser sword to prune his Juniperus & Ficus Mallsais? Yoda himself can do it by just pointing his right index finger to his 800 years old Acer Palmatum. May the force be with you Luke!!!

Alain

I think Alain got it, guys

Auk wrote:

leatherback wrote: Fairy tale bonsai?

Very, very close!

Then you are talking naturalistic style, with a specific person attached to it..

leatherback wrote: Then you are talking naturalistic style, with a specific person attached to it..

Correct. The person you are referring to is Walter Pall.

The original text is here:
walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.nl/2015_09_01_archive.html

Note it is not the view of the writer, he summarizes "the views expressed in opposition to naturalism in bonsai"

It made me think. I would with no doubt trade my complete collection, if I could choose one of Walter Pall's trees.
I can only hope to ever reach his level. If people really think the naturalistic style is invented by people "too lazy to take the time and dedicate the enormous effort necessary to produce genuine bonsai" and compare it with my own efforts, I get quite discouraged - as the examples of such trees I've seen are still much better than mine. Also, it makes me wonder "who am I to criticize others"...