This sumptuously photographed new book is aptly named. In addition to numerous stunning color photos, it features a preface by Masahiko Kimura and a section on Kimura that includes thirty seven new photos of the master at work, as well as of some of his most daring bonsai. That and much, much more. Hardcover, 96 pages with 205 color photos.
No matter how much we think…
… that we in the West are catching up with the Japanese when it comes to the art of bonsai, we still lag behind when it comes to the art of bonsai display and bonsai photography. Not to say that I think the rest of the world has caught up with Japanese bonsai (think refinement and subtlety), but judging from some of the buzz, there seem to be a significant number of people who disagree with me on this point. Disagreement is okay and healthy enough, but, at the extremes at least, opinions are sometimes based more on prejudice than knowledge.
Don’t get me wrong
I know there are some excellent Western bonsai artists and there is a lot of daring innovation outside of Japan (we feature some of it right here on Bonsai Bark). I also know that some Japanese bonsai seems a little too stylized and overrefined. Still (the poorly chosen tree on the cover of this new book notwithstanding) there is much to learn from our Japanese friends when it comes to bonsai. If you don’t believe me, maybe this book will help set you straight.
A little taste of what The Beauty of Bonsai has in store for you.
Hi Wayne
If the page through the open door is anything to go on, then this looks like a major guide for the design of a display area as well as getting ideas on the Floor Area & Wall for a Japanes Garden.
Lesson in Borrowing Views, is displayed here outside the wall straight up.
Exquisite. Available?
Hi Mariël,
Yes, the book is available here: http://www.stonelantern.com/The_Beauty_of_Bonsai_p/b1beauty.htm
Hi John,
Keen observation about Borrowing Views. Actually, what you see is only a piece of the original photo. It cover two pages and what you see is only part of the right hand page. The borrowed view on the left page isn’t nearly so desirable. However, there is more to see as far as designing a display area goes and the display areas relation to the building.
Dit is een heel mooi weblog waar ik veel kan opsteken
Ik ben pas bezich met de bonsai