Japanese Maple 'Sangu-kaku'

Auction bids cannot be retracted.

We use proxy and popcorn bidding. See our Auction FAQ here.

Market Value | $5,200

There’s an inherent grace to Japanese Maple—an airiness rooted in its nature as an understory tree. This particular specimen, trained in a literati form, captures that ethereal quality with poise and distinction.

Originally started by the late Grandpa Sisson—an influential figure in the Pacific Northwest bonsai community—this tree is believed to be one of the early Sango Kaku Coral Bark cultivars. While it doesn’t show the vivid reds of modern selections, its exposed position in the garden brings out subtle orange tones along the sun-kissed bark, lending warmth and vibrancy.

Its upright posture is softened by a gentle arc—graceful and composed. The scarless trunk and refined branching offer an understated elegance, while the delicate lines of the silhouette feel as though they were drawn in air. Planted in an Aaron Kupferman concrete container, the pairing speaks to modernity and movement—blue-grey tonality complementing the Maple’s seasonal hues.

This is a tree that brings joy. A tree with lineage, provenance, and presence—ready to continue its story in the hands of its next steward.

Note: There is a fracture in the back of the concrete ceramic but it is structurally sound.

Species | Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'

Estimated Age | 45 years

Time in Training | 45 years

Collector | Unknown

Origin Location | PNW

Ceramic | Aaron Kupferman

Original Design | Sisson Family

Dimensions | 27" L x 18" W x 46" H