Can you give me a precise, accurate definition for the term literati bonsai?

[Gabler]

I see this thread as a circular argument to re defile or dilute the true definition to American standards.

This thread is a perfect example of why Westerners (or those outside of a particular culture) will never be able to fully understand and appreciate the intricacies of an Asian culture. Make bonsai your own… as long as you are trying to define and copy foreign concepts and understanding to design your trees you will never be anything but a mimic and copycat.

Is it safe to say you two disagree?

 

[Shogun610]

The perfect response is and always will be …

It Depends



Don’t take it too seriously and just dew it

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I think several people had it on the tips of their tongues. My definition which I use to help categorize whether I should view a tree as literati or bunjin:

A bonsai tree in refinement which prioritizes negative space to create the impression desired by the artist.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I don't mean to overstep, but if we view bonsai as art (I do mostly, but I also see it as a science, and as a craft), then wouldn't it be as many other artforms? That as it evolves and spreads, each country or region (or era [classical music, rock, jazz, etc] in time) develops its own style, just as language evolves?
Consider, possibly, Latin, which bred the Romance languages. Spanish has a semblance to French has a semblance to Italian as to Portuguese. And each of these languages have offshoots around the world. When these languages are spoken and heard, they are recognized as Romance languages, even with their unique eccentricities.
Could the same be allowed in bonsai, that just as the Japanese adopted the Chinese artform and made it their own, mastering an art that was already developed, that the rest of the world could also add its influence? And to do this without diluting the original concept of the Japanese or Chinese seems absolutely achievable to me.
Literati? I don't have enough real experience to hazard a description, nor do I have the words to explain the abstract image in my mind. I'm perfectly fine with the artist, or any veteran eyes telling me "Yeah, that's a fine literati specimen." I'm going to defer to those who actually have an idea from their own experience.

 

[Cruiser]

Yep. They can make some nice pre bonsai stock. Cougar scratch trees can also be pretty nice.

Cheers
DSD sends

Meow.

 

[Potawatomi13]

There is something to be gained philosophically when one's lived long enough to see tragedy and come out on the other side.

I'm 79 and grew up financially poor, at times struggling and have only briefly qualified as lower middle class when I worked. Now retired I'm better off than I was most of my working career. I think I might qualify. The big positive was my parents stayed together and there was always love in our home. Also my folks both loved flowers and growing things themselves. I think I'm blessed I inherited this from them and may God rest their souls. It was thanks to my dad taking me to the library for a turtle book that I first saw a Bonsai when I was about 12. It was a lovely Vine maple just come into full leaf. He encouraged my interest.