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REFLECTIONS OF NATURE: STYLES IN BONSAI AND PENJING
May 12 – 20, 2007
Nature has always served as a source of artistic inspiration. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the art of bonsai. Through bonsai, an entire forest can be grown in the confines of a ceramic pot, or a mighty tree held in the palm of your hand.
The successful practice of bonsai includes the study of trees found in nature and the environmental forces that have shaped them. Through this, the bonsai artist can apply these observations and create a bonsai that represents the essence of a nature tree in miniature.
This special exhibit focuses on three popular bonsai styles: Informal Upright, Forest, and Driftwood. Each side is dedicated to one of the styles. As you view trees outside in the pavilions, look for examples of these styles.
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Driftwood Style (Shari-miki)
The dead branches and exposed wood associated with the driftwood style reflects the harsh conditions found at higher elevations. A tree’s bark is slowly worn away by the elements, as its wood is bleached by the sun. Yet despite this relentless abuse, the tree survives.
A bonsai artist can recreate this driftwood style by removing the bark from the trunk and branches with a sharp knife and applying a substance that bleaches the wood white.
Notice the brown veins of living tissue against the white, dead wood. Can you trace the tree’s life line from the roots to the leaves? |
Prostrate Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prostrata’
In training since 1969
Gift of Kaz & Kiyo Yoneda, 1990
No.228
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Eastern White Cedar
Thuja occidentalis
In training since 1989
Gift of Toronto Bonsai Society, 1990
No. 264
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Japanese Needle Juniper
Juniperus rigida
In training since 1966
Gift of Yoshihiko Tsuchiya, 1975
No. 60
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Dwarf Japanese Juniper
Juniperis procumbens ‘Nana’
In training since 1975
Gift of Thomas Tecza, 1990
No. 226
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Forest Style (Yose-ue)
The striking beauty of the forest style is unique among bonsai as it transports the viewer into the depths of a remote forest. The trees in a forest planting are placed at irregular intervals and usually have trunks of various diameters. Traditionally, trees are planted in odd numbers, 3, 5, 7, etc. and are positioned in a way to create a feeling of scale. The placement of each tree in a forest planting is important in order to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Observe how a sense of depth is created by having the larger trees in the front and the smaller trees in the back. |
European Olive
Olea europaea
In training since 1970
Gift of Melba Tucker, 1990
No. 268
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Trident Maple
Acer buergerianum
In training since 1985
Gift of Brussel Martin, 1990
No. 203
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Golden Larch
Pseudolarix amabilis
In training since 1971
Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986
No. 107
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Pauper’s Tea
Sageretia thea
In training since 1961
Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986
No. 114
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Informal Upright Style (Moyo-gi)
Imagine a large tree growing undisturbed in some hidden meadow, the last survivor of a once immense forest. The emphasis of the informal upright style, as in most styles of bonsai, is to demonstrate the beauty found in a single tree. A tree in the informal upright style has a trunk with a variety of bends and angels, yet still grows upright. Taper helps to create a sense of balance. Note how these trees are wider at the base and narrower at the top.
It is important for the top of a bonsai in the informal upright style to be centered above the trunk base, so that a straight line would connect the two points vertically.
Can you visualize this imaginary line as you view these trees? |
Japanese Elm
Ulmus davidiana var. japonica
In training since 1906
Gift of Shyunichi Sato, 1975
No. 17
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Chinese Hackberry
Celtis sinensis
In training since 1974
Gift of Dan Chiplis, 2004
No. 277
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Chinese Hackberry
Celtis sinensis
In training since 1946
Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986
No. 101
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Trident Maple
Acer buergerianum
In training since 1856
Gift of Tanekichi Isozaki, 1975
No. 36
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