Bonsai - 1 (History and Principles)

 

Bonsai - 1 (History and Principles)

"Bonsai" is a popular art in Japan. In the art of bonsai, a small tree is given the characteristics of a large tree, giving the impression that a large tree has been reduced to a small tree.

The Japanese word "bonsai" means "planted in a shallow pot". Bonsai trees are grown in shallow pots, as the saying goes.

History of Bonsai Art

Like many things in Japanese culture, bonsai art originated in China.

AD In the 8th century, the art of "penjing" became a hobby of the Chinese aristocracy. There they grew small plants in small clay pots. During this time there were constant relations between Japan and China, and Chinese culture flowed into Japan. Penjing art is one such feature.

Bonsai trees were first depicted in Japanese paintings in the 11th century. But these were not called "bonsai", they were called "huchi no ki". Hachi no ki means "tree standing in a cup". During this time, cups shaped like rice bowls were widely used for Hachi no ki art.

The art of dwarfism began to be called bonsai as early as the 18th century. By now, Japanese bonsai art is quite different from Chinese penjing art and has taken on a Japanese face. The main difference was the use of flat shallow disc-shaped containers instead of cup-shaped containers. In addition, Japanese bonsai artists have moved away from the Chinese tradition in an attempt to give their trees a more naturalistic look. Also, I was tempted to use simpler dishes rather than fancy Chinese dishes.

This may be due to the fact that Japanese bonsai art was largely developed by Buddhist monks.

By the end of the 18th century, the art of bonsai had begun to spread among the general population. Around 1780, the city of Kyoto even began to hold an annual bonsai exhibition. Bonsai trees were introduced from all over Japan.

The technology of bonsai art became similar to what it is today in the early 20th century. It was at this time that wire-shaping and the use of tools similar to those used today began.

Principles of Bonsai Art

Bonsai art can't be done without it. There are a few principles to follow.

Bonsai principles are based primarily on the concepts of "wabi" and "sabi", which are the root of many Japanese arts.

Wabi means the simplicity and flaw of something. That is not perfect. In bonsai art, this is represented by something like the asymmetry of a bonsai tree.

Sabi is the decay of something over time. Decay. In bonsai art, this is represented by something like a torn tree trunk or a rotten branch.

Here are some of the basic principles of bonsai art:

1. Dwarfing

This is the essence of bonsai art. A bonsai tree should be small in size. But it must have the appearance of a mature tree with all the other characteristics.

2. The invisibility of the artist

The next most important principle is the invisibility of the artist. At no point can the artist see the “surgery” performed on the tree. They should always be hidden from view, giving them a natural look. For example, the root of a pruned branch looks like it has rotted.

3. Visual acuity

The trunk, branches and leaves of the tree must be in good visual balance with each other individually and as a whole. Bonsai artists have created a number of rules that must be followed in order to achieve this visual balance.

4. The ratio between elements

There must be a good ratio between the elements of a bonsai tree, that is, the trunk, branches and leaves. This ratio is very important to give the impression that a tree is a mature tree. Trees that do not maintain these ratios are not used for bonsai. For example, bonsai trees with large leaves relative to the size of the trunk are not used in art.

5. Asymmetry

A bonsai tree does not form symmetrically. The artist has to give it some asymmetry. It hopes to create the natural look of a tree.

6. Flexibility of rules

Finally, the artist must understand that all these rules are flexible. The artist is free to change the rules so as not to damage the very essence of bonsai art. How successful these changes are depends on the artist's skill.

Finally, the art of bonsai was developed by Zen monks as an art as well as a Zen meditation technique. Therefore, what meditation is should be like a hook that unites everything beneath all this.