Is there a compendium of translations/equivalents, or does someone here know what the varietal translations are?

The ones I purchased were:
(1) Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
(2) Coral Bark Japanese Maple (A. palmatum "____")
(3) Acer palmatum dissectim 'Red Dragon'

The Bonsai Books mention these amongst others:
(1) Deshojo
(2) Seigen
(3) Shinojo

Thanks

Coral Bark cultuvar name is 'Sango Kaku'.
'Bloodgood' and 'Red Dragon' are viewed as the correct name for those cultivars.

Alot of cultivar names do not come from a japanese name or have a latin name. Alot of mistranslations with japanese names, has lead to most new cultivars not having a japanese name.

The three japanese names you mentioned are older cultivars that originated in Japan.

Alot of cultivars are newer introductions that have come from Europe, Australia, and the United States. In the quest for cultivars that handle different enviroments better, alot of cultivars have been introduced over the last 100 years or so.

A very good resource for learning about them is 'Japanese Maples' 3rd edition.

Mike
Acer palmatum 'Crazy'

My frustration was that the Bonsai Books had photos of these gorgeous trees with Japanese names, so I went to the nursery hoping to find them (can we say 'naive'.... :-) ) but the nursery here only had English Names on most of their cultivars (it was Pikes Nurseries). I wanted, and tried to get, cultivars that were similar to the ones in the photos in the books that had inspired me to try bonsai.

FWIW - I began about 4 years ago with a single juniper. I currently have grown to about 30 plants in 'proto-bonsai' form (some partially trained, some in the ground to thicken trunks, some are air layerings in their second year, etc). Nothing really up to the refinement level in the texts yet. I was lacking in the Japanese maple department and hence wanted to correct that before another season.

In my current collection I have junipers, boxwoods, pyracantha, Yoshino cherry, Japanese quince, rosemary, lauropetalum, dwarf pomegranate, Crepe Myrtle, Osmanthus, Barberries, Dwarf Hemlock, Hinoki Cypress, Camellia, and a few odds n' ends that I collected from my yard but have to figure out what the are botanically. A lot of these were 'dented' plants - on sale for a dollar or two because of some defect, or neglect on the nurseries part. I gave them some TLC and voila - Bonsai source material

well, haven't I rattled on and on...Thanks again

It looks like you live in the same area as i do. I am also growing out alot of prebonsai material too. Give me an email if you would like to chat offline. My email address can be found by looking at my member page.

Mike
Acer palmatum 'Crazy'

Bloodgood's Japanese name is Nomura momiji. Nomura could be name of person or place. momiji means maple.

Sangokaku
"Sango" means coral, kaku means few storyhigh building like Kinkakuji temple.

Japanese horticlutuorlist treditionaly divide Maples in two groups. one is momiji other is kaede (ka e de ) Kaede means frog's hand like trident maple.

many Japanese maples cultivar names are using chinese chracters so that Even Japanese can't figure out when J maple name are discribed by alphabet.
Like azalea, more than 1,000 named J maple exsist.
most plants trees imported from Japan using same name as Japanese use. One time I found at Pike nursery and take it home Japanese wisteria 'Alba' Texas pride. I had to buy texas pride.^^ I was collecting wisteria at the time.
I normaly don't visit to Bonsai forum, because of "Jap"word. At GW forums, Niggxx , fuxx, or other word offend to some peoples or many peoples are baned but "Jap" word is not.

Yama

I did know that momiji meant maple, as I am studying Japanese in order to take a trip to Japan (still a beginner though - those kanji are hard!!).

Also there is a Japanese Grocery near here (Tomato Japanese Grocery and Umezono Restaurant next door) they carry the momiji-manju from Hiroshima - the sweet bean filled maple leaf shaped cakes (yum!)

Since you mentioned Pikes - are you in the Atlanta area? and are you a member of the Atlanta Bonsai society?

Bruce

I don't like to see Jap word in bosai forum so I don't vist to Bamboo forum nor bonsai forum.
If you have question(s), Visit to Japanese garden forum. I am happy to help you.

yama

I've been following this forum for about 7 years and every time "I've" seen someone use the slang you are referring to, it was stated that it's not appropriate, that they should use the full term Japanese.

If it is so bothersome to you, please explain why you yourself find it necessary to use it on two different occasions now. I take it you get a free pass?

randy

I have visited Books Japan, and the wonderful little coffee shop attached to it, but most of the literature is too advanced for me - too many Kanji that I don't know, perhaps in a year or so I can read them - if I keep studying. I have also eaten in 'Sakana-ya' Seafood restaurant a few doors down from Books Japan.

I did try to grow Black Bamboo (P. nigra) two years ago in a pot (not exactly Bonsai) but I lost it in the spring ice storm of 2005. I was just looking at a catalog to reorder it and try again - I just love the black/green contrast in this plant.

Thanks for the info, if you want, e-mail me at the addy in my profile, I look foward to hearing from you.
Bruce

During world War two, US goverment strip off all right of Japanese American's right and Put them in Concentration camp . They lost home and most of possetions. Only One suitcase allowed to carry. Many young Japanese American men drafted to serve the Country while his parents, brothers sisters were in concentration camp and called Jap.
Many of Japanese American solders were sent to 100th Infantry battalion, 442nd regimental combat team.
They were alway sent to front line of high causualty. 442 regiment had hightest causalty rate in US millitary history. They were sent to rescue 36th Texas Division of Army. 442nd lost much more live than 36th Texas battaloin which saved by 442nd. Many of 442nd battalion of mostly Japanese American awareded many medal for thir braveness. When they retune to mainland after the war, in US Army Uniform with many medals, many restaurant, barber, store refuse to serve then or told them "get out" If you are intrested, Please learn histrory of 442 Battalion.
Some of you aguing that Jap is simply abbreviation. It is not. If you know how Jap word is /was used in US history, then you will know why we don't want to see or hear Jap word. They died for us, I have to speak out for them.

I had a custmer who is third generation of Japanese American. When she talk about concentration camp, she still cry.

I know Only one Japanese who never had hard time during serving US Amy almost 50 years ago. His best friend was son of president of United state, no high ranking officers nor solders never bothered him ^^.

One day, my daughter and son came home from elementary school, They told me that " Dad, Japan fought against us " ^^ In thire mind Japan was the Enemy.
History has two side stories... Man who swing punch at me 32 years ago, he din't know that before Parl harbor, Four Us navy ship came to Japan and sunk ships and fire canon from ship to our capital. Text book of US histry teach own children different than how we interpret Black ship( Us navy ship) attack to Japan.

My nephew serving US Navy, My son want to go US Navy too.
Japanese man who was kicked by white woman and told get out, his revenge was give good education to his children and do well in this society. Two of chidren become doctor and other is on the way to be sucessfull business man.
My daughter also will be doctor near future.She is in medical school now.

Randy
We all proud being good and productive citizen of United state. Thank you again giving me a chance to explain.
yama

I understand where you are coming from when you say that that word offends you. I would not use the word and don't believe it is appropriate in any circumstance. There will however always be those out there who look to offend others, and they need not use specific words because topics can be just as bad. What would bother you more someone using derogatory language or someone speaking badly of the succesful daughter you mentioned.

What we all must realize is that it is us who puts the power in these words by taking offense. There are derogatory terms used for every culture and as much as it may hurt us we are better to ignore the language and overcome the hatred we have for others. When someone uses that language towards you hatred wells up, and when you allow this hatred to surface you give that person the power over your emotions. Don't let the ignorant few have control over your emotions. Simply prove them wrong it will give you a better sense of pride in the long run.

I apoligize on behalf of the ignorant. Now lets talk Bonsai!

Tim