Itoigawa – The Pseudo Bunjin

Botanical Name: Juniperus chinensis

Common Name: Itoigawa

Story of the Tree

This striking Itoigawa Juniper was purchased in 1988 as a tiny 4-inch potted plant from Mr. Ito at the GSBF convention. Grafted onto San Jose Juniper stock, it became a long-term project rooted in patience and vision.

Michael cultivated the tree for over 20 years, using sacrificial lower branches to thicken and taper the trunk—a classic but time-intensive approach.

Today, the tree is styled in a form Michael refers to as a “Pseudo Bunjin.” While it shares many of the elegant, upright qualities of a traditional Bunjin, its muscular trunk and bold presence give it a unique identity that breaks convention in all the best ways.

Exhibited by: Michael