Bonsai tree: An Old Philistine Takes a Second Look at Some Remarkable Trees

This well-known Sageretia planting is by Dr Wu Yee-sun. It appears in The Chinese Art of Bonsai & Potted Landscapes.

An Aha! moment

Sometimes you might pass over a tree or planting because it’s not dramatic enough to catch your attention. Or maybe it just seems strange at first glance. In some cases, if you’re lucky, a question mark might pull you back for a second look. That’s what happened to me with two or three of the trees in this post; they were easy to overlook, but when I did take a close look, an Aha! moment dawned.

Whatever it takes, it’s worth it

I think it’s easy for many of us to overlook Chinese Penjing. My guess is that this is because we are used to Japanese bonsai, or bonsai that is Japanese influenced (most Western bonsai is Japanese influenced), so Penjing might take some getting used to. Whatever it takes to get used to it though, I think it’s worth it.

Dr. Wu Yee-Sun

The trees in post are by Wu Yee-Sun. Dr. Wu is a famous Penjing artist. You may have seen one of his better know trees (pictured above), and his Foreword in the classic book; The Chinese Art of Bonsai & Potted Landscapes (see below).

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This one is a good example of that ‘easy to overlook’ group. At first, I almost breezed right by it, but just as I was about to dismiss it as ‘a bunch of skinny, undeveloped little trees stuck in pot,’ fortunately, its subtle, elegant grace caught my jaded eye. It and the photos below are from Tae Kukiwon Bonsai.

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A little more obvious; but still, quite elegant and unique.

At the risk of exposing my inner Philistine, I have to admit that I almost overlooked this gem of a tree. Fortunately, its open, uncontrived feeling caught me just in time.

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This one can speak for itself.

This beautiful, one of a kind, hardcover book is on special at Stone Lantern for only 36.00 (the retail price is 65.00 and our regular discounted price is 45.00).

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Bonsai tree: Sakuteiki—1,000 Year Old Gardening Text

Always fun to plumb historical texts for modern-day relevance or just plain curiosity, but it’s not so common to have something this old to read.

The Sakuteiki is a text from the Heian period and is a guide to designing a garden. The taboos are particularly entertaining,  underlined with the warning, ‘To make a garden by studying nature exclusively, without any knowledge of various taboos, is reckless.’ There are problems with building it a certain way that would block the passage of the White Tiger, for example. A bit of texture, perhaps, but not very illuminating for those who grow plants today. More interesting is that they used grasses and flowering perennials more often than is now seen in modern Japanese gardens.

Kyoto stands on the site of the ancient Heian city,  so there are layers of history here that go back a long way. The Heian city was master planned on a grid, like the Chinese Tang capital of AD 700. One of the most arresting images of the book I have, published in 2008 by Jiro Takei and Marc Keane, is of a Heian period residence of a regent family:

Heian period residence, circa AD 1000

The organic relationship between the rectilinear house and the fluid garden is remarkable; it reminded me of a rectangular pot and a flowing tree rising from it. Residences of this type was carefully designed to afford many views of the garden. They were integrated in a sophisticated way that suggests a central relationship with nature. Granted, these were the residences of government officials and not the bunkhouses of Joe Schmo, but still…

Not sure there is any clear link here to what we do with bonsai. One thing is noteworthy, though: Like the eastern United States in the early settlement days, the old woods around the Heian city were demolished to support the growth of the city. There was nothing that was ‘wild nature’ for a great distance. Organically planned gardens re-created the feeling of nature inside the walls of their residences. I wonder if that is not a rare urge for those who live on city grids, and perhaps there is the link to our attraction to bonsai. It’s just remarkable how clearly the Japanese elite expressed that yearning in their lives. There are a lot of examples around the world of gardens designed around homes, but not many where the house is designed around the garden. I’d take my beret off to anyone who designs a house while thinking of a garden.

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Bonsai tree: An Old Philistine Takes a Second Look at Some Remarkable Trees

This well-known Sageretia planting is by Dr Wu Yee-sun. It appears in The Chinese Art of Bonsai & Potted Landscapes.

An Aha! moment

Sometimes you might pass over a tree or planting because it’s not dramatic enough to catch your attention. Or maybe it just seems strange at first glance. In some cases, if you’re lucky, a question mark might pull you back for a second look. That’s what happened to me with two or three of the trees in this post; they were easy to overlook, but when I did take a close look, an Aha! moment dawned.

Whatever it takes, it’s worth it

I think it’s easy for many of us to overlook Chinese Penjing. My guess is that this is because we are used to Japanese bonsai, or bonsai that is Japanese influenced (most Western bonsai is Japanese influenced), so Penjing might take some getting used to. Whatever it takes to get used to it though, I think it’s worth it.

Dr. Wu Yee-Sun

The trees in post are by Wu Yee-Sun. Dr. Wu is a famous Penjing artist. You may have seen one of his better know trees (pictured above), and his Foreword in the classic book; The Chinese Art of Bonsai & Potted Landscapes (see below).

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This one is a good example of that ‘easy to overlook’ group. At first, I almost breezed right by it, but just as I was about to dismiss it as ‘a bunch of skinny, undeveloped little trees stuck in pot,’ fortunately, its subtle, elegant grace caught my jaded eye. It and the photos below are from Tae Kukiwon Bonsai.

�

A little more obvious; but still, quite elegant and unique.

At the risk of exposing my inner Philistine, I have to admit that I almost overlooked this gem of a tree. Fortunately, its open, uncontrived feeling caught me just in time.

�

This one can speak for itself.

This beautiful, one of a kind, hardcover book is on special at Stone Lantern for only 36.00 (the retail price is 65.00 and our regular discounted price is 45.00).

�

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Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!

Bonsai tree: Weeky Wire: World Bonsai Day, Free Bonsai Wire, Kokufu, Boon’s Tips & Much More

Who could ask for more? It wasn’t too long ago we led off a Weekly Wire with a Gedemerta Bonsaibali tree. Now, we’ve gone and done it again. I’m guessing you can see why. Aside from the wildly expressive deadwood, the well-aged textured beauty of the bark, the trunk’s powerful base and perfect taper, the tree’s radiant health, the near perfect play between balance and movement; the photo is also very well done. Who could ask for more?

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FREE!

FREE WIRE, SCISSORS, TOOL CLEANING BLOCKS & CUT PASTE

WHEN YOU ORDER FROM STONE LANTERN…

…but only if you enter FREE ITEMS in the comments box when you place your order

for details, check out our last post (immediately below).

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World Bonsai Day. Did you know that May 12th is designated the second annual World Bonsai Day by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation? I found this worthy piece of information on the U.S. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s 2012 calendar. Take a look for yourself, you might find something you like. Better still, put a visit to the Museum on YOUR calendar.

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International Calendar. Speaking of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation & calendars, here’s one you might like.

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Africa!

I actually found the piece on the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (above) on the South African Bonsai Association website. Here’s part of what the South African Bonsai Association has to say about itself: The South African Bonsai Association is a body for affiliated clubs and individual members to promote and grow the hobby of Bonsai. We are an elected body of executives chosen to manage the affairs of SABA.Our main objective is to promote co-operation between South Africa Bonsai and Associated arts and International Bonsai, irrespective of race, colour, creed or national origin for the purpose of improving the art, skills and image of Bonsai.

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Boon’s Tips

Are you familiar with Boon’s Tips? If not, here’s a little taste to whet your appetite. For the rest of this tip and to enjoy Boon’s highly informative site, visit Bonsai Boon.

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The Atlanta Bonsai Society has announced its next schedule of artists-lecturers: Sunday, Feb.26, Ted Matson; March 25, Kathy Shaner; April 29, Roy Nagatoshi. The Spring Show will be May 19-20, and Ryan Neil will be the judge. All events are held at Piedmont Park, 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. The public is welcome.

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International Bonsai Mirai

Defining Concepts Pine Course

with Ryan Neil

March 2 to 4th

Portland Oregon (vicinity)

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The Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society is looking good, with a quality website that features a full schedule with the likes of David Knittle (I think you’ve missed that one unless you are already there), Jim Doyle, Bill Valavanis, John Romano and perhaps some others (under Possible Speakers). They also do a fair bit of traveling with visits to David Easterbrook’s Montreal nursery and a trip to Massachusetts to visit Royal Bonsai (that’s Suthin’s place) and New England Bonsai (my old stomping grounds).

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Kokufu, the world’s most famous bonsai show. Somebody took a picture of Peter Tea (one of our favorite apprentices) taking a picture at this year’s Kokufu-ten. I think this is after Peter and numerous others finished setting the show up; before the doors were open to the public.

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Pedro Morales‘ Tropical Bonsai School: Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico

Escuela De Bonsai Tropical ANUNCIA nuevos grupos en Puerto Rico. Comenzando el 27 de abril (Viernes) Nuevo grupo de 1er Año. Y comenzando el 29 de Abril (Domingo) Nuevo grupo de 2do Año. El grupo de los viernes y sábado de primer año comienza a las 7:00pm y el de los domingos de 2do año comienza a la 1:00pm. Para mas información se comunican conmigo. Saludos.

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Nothing to do with bonsai really, but still….

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Bonsai tree: How to wire a bonsai pot

Source: Bonsai Tonight

How to wire a bonsai pot

In preparation for repotting season, Boon brought several pots to January’s Bay Island Bonsai meeting that exemplified the proper way to prepare pots for repotting. The technique differ slightly for pots with one, two, three or four drainage holes. First cover drainage holes with screen to keep soil in and insects out. The examples below feature “Z” clips – “C” clips may be used for small drainage holes (see “Repotting a Trident Maple” for an explanation of the “Z” clip). Tie-down wires are then measured and fitted into place. For round pots, measure out a length equal to the circumference of the pot. For rectangular pots, measure out a length equal to two long sides of the pot and one short side (two lengths and a width). You can make adjustments based on the placement of the drainage holes and the depth of the pot – for example, use longer lengths for deeper pots. For pots with a single drainage hole, secure tie-down wires to a “little-man” clip (the clip resembles an armless stick-figure).

One-hole pot from above

One-hole pot from below

For pots with two drainage holes, situate the wires at the inside edge of each hole. This lets us use as little wire as possible and prevents the screen from moving when we tighten the wire.

Two-hole pot from above

Two-hole pot from below

The preparation for three-hole pots is similar to the process for two-hole pots. The difference: one hole gets two wires, the remaining holes get one wire each.

Three-hole pot from above

Three-hole pot from below

For rectangular pots with holes in the corners, place each tie-down wire so it connects two holes along the width of the pot. Connecting holes along the long side of the pot wastes wire. Placing the wire through the holes at the points closest to the center of the pot will prevent the screen from moving when the wire is tightened.

Four- or five-hole pot from above

Four- or five-hole pot from below

For small accent plants, use thin wire and forgo the “little-man” clip.

One-hole pot for accent plants from above

One-hole pot for accent plants from below

If it’s hard to see the wires against the screen, click the photos to get a better look.

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