At first glance I was drawn to this tree. Later, I wasn’t so sure. But then, after a long slow look, I came back to my first thought; the spectacular pot, the deeply striated bark and the tree’s overall simplicity and naturalness won me over.
Have we been overly influenced by Japanese bonsai?
When I look at the trees in this post I sense a wild naturalness that seems distinctly Chinese. A sensibility that dates back to the ancient poet-calligrapher hermits deep in the Cold Mountains. This connection doesn’t occur with most Japanese and Western bonsai (the exceptions are mostly Bunjin bonsai). Anyway, enough said to get me in trouble; time to just relax and enjoy some exquisite Chinese bonsai.
All of the photos in this post are from Nail Sari’s facebook photo album titled Chinese Bonsai Ever… Unfortunately, none are attributed to the artist or labeled with the variety.
Expressing the primacy of nature; you can barely see the people who live in this magical forest.
Uncontrived, a lyrical poem with flowers.
Rugged, strong, well-balanced and perfectly tapered, all the way out to smallest twigs.
Halloween. Do you see the little arms sticking up out of the soil?
What would it be like to be small enough to walk under this natural bridge?
Lonely trees growing on cliffs.
So strong and closer to the more modern Japanese look. Yet still…
I love moss undr a bonsai and the pot makes a statment
I used to prefer Japanese style bonsai but in the last few years I’ve slowly become more emamoured with the more relaxed, natural looking Chinese bonsai.
Wayne,
First trees are indeed Chinese. Tha last one, not so much. It is an Osakasuki Satsuki azalea that was part of the Takasagoan collection of the late Japanese bonsai patron, Mr. Daizo Iwasaki. This bonsai is featured in both of his publications. In the first ediition, it had a white pot. In the last, it was pictured in the present Kinyou (sky blue) container.
Regards,
Jose Luis
As always, thank you Jose Luis. I’m not sure how it is you can identify so many individual tress, but however you manage, keep it up!
-w