the qualifying conditions below:

I hope that in the future, such criteria for entry into judged exhibits and
contests will recognize the difference between a beautiful bonsai and an
artist's efforts - instead of assuming that there is no distinction. In
Japan, for instance, one may exhibit a beautiful bonsai that one "owns," but
does not train in Kokufu-ten. Also/Or, one may be an artist and enter one's
tree in Sakufu-ten - where the efforts of the artists are compared and
evaluated. This way, the bonsai community and the general public get to see
how the best bonsai of whatever pedigree are evaluated.

What a shame that here in the U.S. a beautiful bonsai that one may have
purchased last month is inelegable to be entered into any event where
supposedly "the beauty of bonsai" is evaluated. I guess the
owner/collectors of the world are just out of luck in the U.S.. We here in
the U.S. seem only to be concerned with artists who want to exhibit their
own work. So instead of the public and the bonsai community seeing the best
bonsai be recognized, we're relegated to seeing the "best bonsai among those
whose owners have worked on them for the past 3-5 years themselves" be
recognized. Don't make sense to me, but I recon I gots some learnin' to do.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/palaver/main.htm
zone 8, Texas

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"

...I would like to point out that the Ben Oki International Design
Award (or BOIDA) has significant rule changes to better insure that
entrants are considered beginners (not just amateur) by their peers.
This is defined as having done bonsai for five years or less and having
this certified by your local club president.

...Award Certré International only requires BCI membership and
having the entry bonsai in your possession for at least three years.
Judgment of all submissions is based on the most outstanding bonsai pot
selection, matching pot harmoniously to its tree.

...The Ismail Saleh Award allows almost anyone to enter (except
judges and BCI board members) and has similar requirements to Award
Certré International except for the emphasis on container selection.
Alan Walker

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