Match 1
Richard Wright vs. Tommaso Mancini
Walter Pall
Vote: Richard Wright
Tommaso’s tree is very elegant and special, definitely not a regular commercial style. It has obviously been styled recently and still carries a lot of wire. Overall appearance: very good work in progress. Gravel soil, no moss.
Richard’s group appears very mature, with no wire and natural moss. It does not look recently planted at all. The undergrowth is subtle and refined. This is finished work.
Verdict: Richard wins. While both entries are very good and the decision is close, Richard’s composition is clearly more mature. Both show remarkable progress from raw material to their present state.
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Richard Wright
Regarding these two bonsai, when I thought about what bonsai should be the standard, I thought about how many years it spent in the pot and this tree became the beautiful old tree I have now.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Richard Wright
These last matches is nitpicking. When I’m looking at the images up close Richard’s trees are the cleanest. The lines and bottoms are all crisp and clean. Although Tommaso’s tree has a great silhouette, the foliage is a bit loose and there’s a missed opportunity in the apex to give it a better feel of directionality.
Match 2
Andrija Zokic vs. Sergio Cuan
Walter Pall
Vote: Andrija Zokic
Sergio’s tree is outstanding—very unique, breathtaking, and very mature. However, the lower branches are clearly too thin. With time and the right techniques, this will improve, but we must judge the tree as it is now.
Andrija’s tree is outstanding, very unique, very mature, and as finished as a bonsai can be.
Verdict: Andrija wins. Both trees are outstanding and both show remarkable progress from raw material. Andrija’s tree is slightly more “finished” and, to my taste, a bit more impressive.
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Sergio Cuan
These two are the twins of this tournament. Both as bonsai are fully prepared for the elements.
However, I felt the possibility of making branches of this miscellaneous tree as a branch expression created in a new nature.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Andrija Zokic
Again both trees are spectacular. Andrija’s tree is clean, powerful and unique. I’ve never seen another tree that looks like this. Such a unique piece, all parts of the design and presentation work perfectly together. Sergio’s elm is magnificent and this is a difficult decision for me, but I’m going with Andrija’s Olive.
Round 3 Comments
Match 1
Richard Wright vs. Alexandre Perez
Walter Pall
Vote: Richard Wright
Both are excellent examples of artistic bonsai creation. They do not follow the beaten commercial path and aim instead to express a natural feeling. The compositions look like they could appear in nature.
Richard:
The composition is very pleasing and conveys a convincing natural landscape. The “island” stones are an unusual feature, but they work very well.
Verdict: Very good.
Alexandre:
A very impressive and dramatic cascade. Excellent use of deadwood in combination with natural branching. From the history of this tree, it appears that the deadwood and the live part come from different sources — a tanuki. In my opinion, a tanuki is perfectly acceptable, as long as it is not noticeable. In Japan, this would definitely not be part of a competition, but this contest was announced as one where the history of the creation is included.
Verdict: A very well-made tanuki, not noticeable without knowing its history. Very good.
Judging:
Very close in artistic impression. Since the second one is a tanuki, I prefer Richard’s.
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Richard Wright
This juniper-like tree displays exceptional technical skill and overall quality. Were it not a tanuki, it would undoubtedly have been a top contender for the championship. The composition of the group planting demonstrates a strong sense of depth, created through the thoughtful placement of the slender and thicker trunks. By dividing the island into two distinct sections, the design evokes two complementary narratives, each with its own character and story.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Richard Wright
Richard Wright – Alexandre Perez = My vote is for Richard
Alexandre’s tree is a Tanuki.I voted for this tree for the first 2 rounds. I knew it was a Tanuki, but It looks realistic, the container matches really well with the composition and I wouldn’t have known it was a Tanuki unless he showed the before pictures. I told myself from the beginning that after the second round it could no longer be a choice of mine because of that.
Richards forest is a unique and well thought out creative design. I appreciate that it is built on 2 separate pieces with a perceived river running between the 2. I have seen and pictured myself walking though this landscape.
Match 2
Tommaso Mancini vs. Anthony Fajarillo
Walter Pall
Vote: Anthony Fajarillo
Both are good examples of artistic bonsai creation, clearly not following standard commercial styling.
Tommaso:
Very elegant and unique. Details are well handled to avoid an over-styled look. The foliage pads feel natural.
Verdict: Very good.
Anthony:
A very nice multi-trunk composition created from difficult material. The trunks work well together to create a credible natural impression. The positioning in the container could be better, and the table does not help the presentation.
Verdict: Very good.
Judging:
Very close, but I prefer Anthony’s.
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Tommaso Mancini
This stone-mounted bonsai stands out for the unique movement of its trunk and its carefully considered branch arrangement. While significant effort is evident in the expression of the branches, true bonsai artistry lies in the ability to evoke the beauty and character of an aged tree. The inclusion of subtle indications of branches lost over time, along with the depth created by their absence, adds a powerful sense of natural history. The juniper’s branch structure enhances the composition without interrupting the elegant flow of the trunk, and the concealed branches visible throughout the design expertly contribute to a sense of depth and maturity. Overall, this tree shows great promise for the future.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Tommaso Mancini
Tommaso’s tree really frames in the trunk well, but I’d love to see the foliage on the drop branch to flirt with the trunk more. Perhaps even cover up a little of the trunk where the change of direction occurs.
Anthonys’s forest is a great utilization of the material. The right side feels a bit busy and I’d like to see a little more negative space on the right side. I don’t love the container, but the idea of a slab seems to suit it well.
Match 3
Andrija Zokic vs. Carlos Gori
Walter Pall
Vote: Andrija Zokic
Both are very good examples of artistic bonsai creation, developed from simple and difficult material.
Andrija:
Quite an impressive and powerful tree — very thick yet elegant at the same time. It gives a strong impression of age. Good choice of pot and tree combination. There could be slightly more open spaces in the foliage.
Verdict: Very impressive.
Carlos:
Very elegant and natural impression. The crown is shaped in a credible, unusual one-sided manner, looking like a natural tree rather than a commercial bonsai. Compared to the crown, the trunk appears slightly slim — a smaller crown would improve balance.
Verdict: Very good.
Judging:
Close, but Andrija impresses me more.
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Andrija Zokic
The deciduous bonsai is exceptionally beautiful, expressing the natural flow of its branches in outstanding harmony with the pot. However, when set against a tree that displayed such magnificent branch expression without compromising the powerful flow of an ancient specimen shaped by countless years, it became inevitable to give the decisive nod to the latter.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Andrija Zokic
My vote goes to Andrija. His Olive is one of the most powerful trees I have seen. The interplay between the trunk, container, and carefully placed foliage creates an impeccably balanced and harmonious composition. The tree conveys a remarkable sense of presence, evoking the same striking character as the renowned Canadian tree in El Hierro, Spain.
Carlos presents an outstanding silhouette, where the structural lines of the primary branches and the interplay of secondary and finer branches work in perfect concert. The apex, gracefully shifting to the left, is a thoughtful design choice that imbues the composition with both character and emotion. The container, with its fissure on the right, enhances the narrative by suggesting the roots extending into a natural crevice. Overall, this is a highly considered and skillfully executed design.
Match 4
Sergio Cuan vs. Fabio Perissinotto
Walter Pall
Vote: Sergio Cuan
Both are very good examples of artistic bonsai creation. Sergio’s piece clearly does not follow commercial conventions.
Sergio:
A unique crown and a highly credible natural tree-like composition. Very good tree-pot combination.
Verdict: Outstanding.
Fabio:
Three trunks play well together, forming a harmonious “family” feeling. Very good branch structure, achieving a bunjin impression. Overall, a strong example of traditional bunjin style.
Verdict: Very good bunjin.
Judging:
Close, but Sergio’s impresses me mor
Matsusue Koji
Vote: Sergio Cuan
The arrangement of the branches, with each stem carrying intention, and the overall spatial composition reveal an exceptionally refined aesthetic sensibility. However, the tree is still in a relatively young stage of development, and in comparison to the woodland composition showcased by the elm, its branches appear less mature. By contrast, the presence of an overwhelmingly thick trunk, richly developed layers of branching, and a patina earned through long-term cultivation affirms this as a highly accomplished bonsai.
Todd Schlafer
Vote: Sergio Cuan
Sergio’s Elm, although not in your traditional “winter Silhouette” presentation, I think having the leaves on it are to his advantage. It shown the definition of the pads, is a nice contrast to the container and give it a realistic feel of a natural tree.
Fabio’s Bunjin forest is a well put together and meticulously placed foliage. This is one of the cleaner designs in the composition.
The Judges Background
Bonsaigers’ X brings together three of the most respected and influential figures in the international bonsai community. Each judge embodies a unique vision of the art, rooted in tradition, shaped by experience, and defined by a personal relationship with nature.
From the rugged mountains of Colorado to the refined aesthetics of Japan, and the timeless artistry of Europe, these masters represent the diversity and depth of modern bonsai practice. Their combined expertise ensures that every tree is seen not just for its technique or form, but for the story it tells and the spirit it conveys.
We are honored to welcome Walter Pall, Todd Schlafer, and Master Matsusue Kōji as the official judges of Bonsaigers’ X, guiding this year’s competition with knowledge, sensitivity, and a shared passion for the living art of bonsai.
Matsusue Koji – @suishoen
Sensei Matsusue Koji, founder of the Suishoen garden and a member of the Daijuen family, is a bonsai master with over 25 years of professional experience. He trained under the guidance of Mr. Mitsuya and completed five years of training at Tokaien, earning certification from the Bonsai Cooperative Association of Japan.
Throughout his career, Sensei Matsusue has led international training programs in Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. He has served as a teacher for the TRIAD Program and the Miracle Star Botanical Garden, sharing his expertise in horticulture and collection design.
His career includes the direction and management of works at the Kokufu Exhibition and the Taikan Exhibition, two of the most important bonsai events. At Suishoen, Sensei Matsusue Koji works with each tree to understand nature and reflect it in a simple and authentic way, creating bonsai that convey both balance and natural rhythm.
Walter Pall – @walter_pall
Walter Pall (born 1944 in Austria, living in Germany) is a renowned bonsai artist who has been practicing the art since 1979. He was among the first in Europe to collect native trees and develop them into bonsai, pioneering the use of European species at a time when most artists relied heavily on imported material.
He is best known for developing and promoting the Naturalistic Bonsai Style, a design approach that emphasizes the lifelike appearance of trees in nature rather than strict adherence to traditional Japanese forms. Over the decades, Pall has built one of the largest and most respected private collections of high-quality bonsai in Europe.
In addition to maintaining his collection, Walter Pall has published numerous articles in international bonsai magazines, contributed to books, and has been a strong voice in the global bonsai community. He has embraced modern platforms, becoming highly active on social media, where he shares his knowledge, philosophy, and tree progressions with enthusiasts worldwide.
Today, he continues to hold seminars, workshops, and demonstrations around the world, inspiring new generations of bonsai artists with his deep knowledge, innovative ideas, and dedication to the art form.
Todd Schlafer – @todd_schlafer_bonsai
Based in Denver, Colorado, Todd Schlafer is a full-time bonsai professional and the founder of First Branch Bonsai. With over two decades of experience, Todd has become one of the most respected figures in contemporary American bonsai, known for his mastery of native species and his deep connection to the rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountains.
Todd’s journey began in 2002 at Colorado Bonsai under the mentorship of Harold Sasaki, where he worked his way from basic tasks to styling trees. His passion for yamadori—trees collected from the wild—grew during collecting trips with conifer expert Jerry Morris, and later deepened through advanced study with Ryan Neil in 2012. There he refined his understanding of structure and design, focusing on how to develop unconventional material with sparse foliage and unique movement. His work has been featured at prestigious events such as the Artisans Cup in Portland, the National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, and Generation Bonsai in Germany.
Today, Todd serves as Curator at the Greater Des Moines Botanic Garden and the Clark Collection in Fresno, California, while traveling extensively to teach workshops and demonstrate across the United States. Specializing in Colorado-native pines, spruce, fir, juniper, and aspen, his approach blends technical precision with a deep respect for each tree’s individuality.
History is about to grow a new branch.
This is just the beginning. BX25 is taking shape behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
Stay tuned, follow us on Bonsaigers, and make sure you’re ready when the tournament begins.