rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Pretty decent penjing book. It was mostly the only authoritative book out there for a while in the late 80's and early 90's...
"Chinese" bonsai
- Thread starter AlainK
- Start date
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Its one of my favorite books to peruse.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Good to know I can pick 'em right, if only by accident.
All cultures, upon a certain indeterminate point in their evolution, become fascinated by things in miniature as much as giant things. Like holding a bit of life itself in your hands.
Chinese art and science hit that point long before much of the rest of the world, but unlike the rest of the world did not experience the same extremes of high and low tides of cultural shifts. They somehow maintained a somewhat more balanced footing, which allowed for practices like penjing to become more refined earlier. None of this is to say China didn't experience it's fair share of changes historically, but culture overall remained stable. As though culture was the cause and political shifts the effect, until more recent centuries at least.
I would also posit that geography played a significant part in the stylistic differences between penjing and bonsai. China with vast territories and resources had little pressure to conserve, a relatively large upper and middle classes, and an enormous industrial base for being pre-industrial revolution. Japan, on the other hand, is a nation of islands with constricted geography, restricted resources, and for most of it's history a very small upper class population ruling over a fairly small middle class and giant lower class. Bonsai had to be modest if it was to be practiced. Pots had to be simple so they could be reused for many different trees over many years, or even generations. They were very limited in purpose, so constituted a very frivolous expense. Trees themselves were understood to be a renewable but valuable resource, so the best were cared for immaculately, and propagation became a stronger priority.
These are just some of my own thoughts and examples of what I look for in the differences between the two.
All cultures, upon a certain indeterminate point in their evolution, become fascinated by things in miniature as much as giant things. Like holding a bit of life itself in your hands.
Chinese art and science hit that point long before much of the rest of the world, but unlike the rest of the world did not experience the same extremes of high and low tides of cultural shifts. They somehow maintained a somewhat more balanced footing, which allowed for practices like penjing to become more refined earlier. None of this is to say China didn't experience it's fair share of changes historically, but culture overall remained stable. As though culture was the cause and political shifts the effect, until more recent centuries at least.
I would also posit that geography played a significant part in the stylistic differences between penjing and bonsai. China with vast territories and resources had little pressure to conserve, a relatively large upper and middle classes, and an enormous industrial base for being pre-industrial revolution. Japan, on the other hand, is a nation of islands with constricted geography, restricted resources, and for most of it's history a very small upper class population ruling over a fairly small middle class and giant lower class. Bonsai had to be modest if it was to be practiced. Pots had to be simple so they could be reused for many different trees over many years, or even generations. They were very limited in purpose, so constituted a very frivolous expense. Trees themselves were understood to be a renewable but valuable resource, so the best were cared for immaculately, and propagation became a stronger priority.
These are just some of my own thoughts and examples of what I look for in the differences between the two.
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
"The Chinese art of Bonsai and potted Landscapes" is my favorite book on the subject. This book touches on EVERY facet(from history, to individual schools/methods, to more terminology than you'd imagine.... to facilitate your Penzai deep-dive.
Highly HIGHLY recommend.
Highly HIGHLY recommend.
Fidur
Chumono
I only have 6 books about trees....One is "Bonsai Heresy", the rest are these:
So I guess I like the chinese tradition more then the japanese one....
So I guess I like the chinese tradition more then the japanese one....
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Like I said, I feel like much of the western world tends toward penjing more than bonsai, but simply by the fact that we were introduced to it by the Japanese, that Japanese tradition will continue to play a huge role.
I personally foresee a minimized landscape featuring an immaculate tree as the common execution. Figurines or mudmen to help turn rustic style pots into bits of earth or water without allowing the pot to distract from the whole, all attention beginning and ending with the tree, but the eyes journey throughout the entire composition the rest of the cycle.
I think like most of us, people will start their personal journey with bonsai, but a great many will settle down in penjing.
I personally foresee a minimized landscape featuring an immaculate tree as the common execution. Figurines or mudmen to help turn rustic style pots into bits of earth or water without allowing the pot to distract from the whole, all attention beginning and ending with the tree, but the eyes journey throughout the entire composition the rest of the cycle.
I think like most of us, people will start their personal journey with bonsai, but a great many will settle down in penjing.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I haven't gotten deep enough in to say anything for certain, but I imagine that depending on how the "pockets" that hold the trees are made, and the sorts of trees used, they would have the option of replacing them when they want, or treating each tree as bonsai and keeping it there indefinitely except for "repotting" to trim the roots.
I forget the specimen tree but this landscape was so cool. The article was pondering who was the bonsai artist, as a famous bonsai artist started it during a demo and then gave it to a student, who cared for it for 20 years, he also became famous, and when he retired gave it to the museum. the whole center is just plain hardscape, with the two sides raised soil, and the tree arching over the bare center. The tree had matured quite a bit, but the boxwoods were the same size.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Would love to see a pic if you can find one.
wow that was a dig thru history tab. Stop searching and just do 
about halfway down this page:
ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com
about halfway down this page:
American Bonsai at the NC Arboretum - Page 3
Arthur Joura wrote: Big Dave, I am glad you found the story of my start in bonsai to be encouraging as you begin your own curatorial adventure. Thank you for i
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