Provenance: USA;
Container: Dave Giorgi;
Source: Yamadori.

Style: Shakan;
Height: 76cm ;
Nebari: 28cm.

This Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) was collected in the Great Lakes region and carries the rugged character of its natural environment. Its refined form, expressive deadwood, and compact foliage plates reflect years of thoughtful styling and evolution under multiple skilled hands.

The tree’s bonsai journey began in 2017, when it was originally styled by Ryan Neil during a Mirai Live session. His work established the foundational movement, carving, and structural rhythm that still guide the composition today. In 2023, the cedar entered a new chapter under its current owner, who continued its development with sensitivity to the tree’s existing character.

In the autumn of 2024, the tree was restyled by artist Sergio Cuan. Together, he and the owner made the key decision to change the viewing front. What was once considered the back revealed a more compelling base, more expressive deadwood, and stronger structural transitions. This subtle but decisive shift awakened the tree’s full potential, giving the composition a clearer sense of flow and emphasizing its natural drama.

The tree is planted in a container by Dave Giorgi, measuring 16 × 12 × 3 inches. The pot’s understated design provides a quiet, grounding presence that supports — but never competes with — the cedar’s dynamic trunk line and aged textures. The most recent photograph, taken by Justin Limoges, captures the tree as it enters a new and more mature stage of its life as a bonsai.

Shaped by the combined visions of several artists, this cedar now stands as a balanced and expressive composition — a blend of wild origin, skilled craftsmanship, and evolving interpretation. Its presence reflects not only its natural heritage but also the collaborative hands that have guided it toward its current form.