I purchased this Arakawa online from The Growing Grounds bonsai nursery who are located in North Carolina. It arrived here in a box on 12/17/07 and it is about 14 years old. The Arakawa (translation 'rough bark') cultivar is known for its characteristic 'cork' bark which is my favorite aspect.
(click image for larger view)
Added some guy-wires to reposition the branches.
Prepared a training pot for repotting with with a well draining soil mix.
Combed out and washed the organic soil from the root pad.
done.
Buds extending later than the other maples.
Added a top layer of sphagnum to increase water retention.
Huge amount of new growth in 20 days.
Lot's of new growth. Did some light training and pruning.
Annual prune/style - working on thickening lower branches, and ramification.
New spring growth.
Lower branches growing wild.
Showing some fall colors.
Winter silhoutte - ready for styling.
Wired branches this year. Starting to like the way it looks. Need to check roots for repotting. Time to find a good pot for it.