Joanie

The rules for the pure Japanese tradition are wonderful guidelines, as observations of nature and the essence of beauty. Knowing them and being able to practice them makes for a full, rounded, and able bonsai practitioner. Odd numbers, the triangle form, division of the trunk height by percentage and the branches contained therein, all of these rules give a stable base upon which to work. Paired with the horticultural abilities that must accompany the strict growing of trees in small pots, and the training practices, the artform is open to all who wish to learn it.

"I stand on the shoulders of those who came before"....who said that? Tradition becomes meaningless when it becomes stale and mechanical. And, dare I say it, some of the wonderful Japanese trees look overly stylized to those whose eyes are unaccustomed to seeing them. Without the tradition of the Asian paintings, drawings, and philosophy, the more extreme of these trees seem rather odd.

Bonsai IS an international practice now, a hobby of which the essence is appreciation of nature, illusion of scale, storytelling, and suggestion of age. What can the people of South America, with their very different climate and culture, their different natural surroundings, and their eyes accustomed to seeing their native trees, have in common with Japanese Black Pines or delicate quinces? What of the Australians, whose continent is filled with divergent species uniquely their own?

It takes many delicate and nuanced flavors to make the most interesting and compelling food....chefs are crossing those boundaries all the time now. The flavor and nuance of different cultures and different native trees would bring new life and strength to the world of bonsai, if they remain true to the essence of the art. A good tree is a good tree, one that reaches out to our hearts. Within the broad guidelines of the rules, surely there is room to appreciate more than one or two culture's influences?

Joanie