|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 29 September 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Bonsai - the essence of harmony between man, soul and nature : Horticultural masterpieces by VIMUKTHI FERNANDO
Out of this world... that's what it is. 'Heaven and earth in one container.' 'Truth, goodness and beauty' held out on a platter... Nestled in the cradle of Chinese tradition, its youth was spent with the masters of Japan. Maturing gracefully, its contact with the western world, brought it fame over the world. Bonsai, the world in miniature. In it is the essence of harmony between man, soul and nature. The world of bonsai will come alive again in Sri Lanka at the National Art Gallery, when 'Reflections 2002 - Living Images' gets under way from October 4 to 6,. Here, the members of the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association (SLBA) will display their priced miniatures. Established in 1989, with nine members, the association now has a membership of about 50. Held with the motive of expanding the art of Bonsai to a wider segment of society, this is the 11th exhibition conducted by SLBA. The display will contain "faithful creations of our members, where a vast variety of beautiful forms of nature are recreated and displayed for your pleasure", said SLBA President, M.A. Premasiri. The word Bonsai literary means 'tray planting' - composed of two Japanese words: "bon", meaning a shallow tray and "sai" a plant. A textbook definition of Bonsai reads as " A tree or shrub trained and pruned in such a way as to resemble a full- size tree, grown in a shallow container for artistic effect and as an impression of nature". However, it is much, much more than just tray planting or recreating nature in miniature. It is a unique form of expression and meditation, taking into account the human being, nature, elements and change.
Bonsai was introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) with the introduction of Zen Buddhism. Once introduced into Japan, the art was refined to a greater extent. Over time, they started representing aristocracy - a symbol of prestige and honour, they were brought indoors for display on specially designed shelves, at special times. In the 17th and 18th century, Bonsai evolved to a much higher understanding and refinement of nature. The main factor in maintaining Bonsai became the removal of all but the most important parts of the plant. This refining the plant to its essential elements was very symbolic of the Japanese philosophy of the times. At around this time, Bonsai also became popular with the general public, enhancing the establishment of this art form within the culture and traditions of the country.
It would be correctly said that a successful Bonsai is most definitely a horticultural masterpiece. Given an adequate supply of water, air, light and nutrients, a properly maintained Bonsai should outlive a full size tree of the same species. Bonsai can be developed from seeds or cuttings, from young trees or from naturally occurring stunted trees transplanted into containers. Most Bonsai range in height from five centimetres (2 in) to 1 metre (3.33 ft). Mame is the smallest of Bonsai being about 5 - 7 centimetres in height. Shohin represents those from 10 to 10 cm, and Kifu, 10 to 35 cm. Bonsai are kept small and trained by pruning branches and roots, periodic repotting, pinching off new growth, and wiring the branches and trunk so that they grow into the desired shape.The spiritual elements of Bonsai are represented in its varied styles. For example, a bonsai tree should always be positioned off-centre in its container. This asymmetry is vital to the visual effect. However, the centre point also symbolises where heaven and earth meets. Nothing should occupy this place. Another aesthetic and spiritual principle is the triangular pattern. While necessary for visual balance, it expresses the relationship shared by a universal power or principle, the artist and the tree itself. In Sri Lanka, Bonsai is yet to become a popular art. "Though it is not regarded an expensive hobby, the time commitment and artistic talent discourage many a potential enthusiast from taking up Bonsai as a hobby", said Premasiri. "However, it is catching up with the seminars, workshops and exhibitions the SLBA carries on." In Japan today, Bonsai are highly regarded as a symbol of their culture and ideals. In the East it generally symbolises aesthetic beauty and its many styles are used as forms of meditation. In the West, it is regarded more as a hobby, or a stage of horticultural excellence many yearn to reach. Bonsai, the sum total of all these and much more, could be an art which could be practised by you and I as well. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
The tradition of Bonsai, was originated in China well over a
millennium. Known as Pun-sai, it was the practice of growing single
specimen trees in pots. Early Pun-sai displayed sparse foliage and rugged,
gnarled trunks shaped after animals, dragons and birds. Though an art form
of the rugged hill folk, pun-sai soon won favour amongst the elite and
royalty. By the early Tang dynasty, these miniature trees had a place in
the traditional murals. Teachings on miniaturising of trees and the art of
miniature rockeries began to appear in the Song Dynasty and reached their
peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Penjing, as it is called now, the art
of Chinese potted landscapes, similar to the Japanese Bonsai, have been
famous for centuries and often described as "soundless poetry"
or "living sculpture".
Over time, Bonsai began to take on different styles with artists
introducing other important elements in their plantings such as rocks,
supplementary and accent plants, and even small buildings and people. This
is known as bon-kei. Reproducing miniature landscapes in nature - known as
sai-kei opened a world of artistic possibilities for Bonsai.
