Dragon Style

ChrisM

i have seen a few pics, and one tree in person, that depict the "dragon style". don't misunderstand the following question, i get the basis of the name, the dragons body as it twists and turns, but........what are the actual specifications (if any) that would give one the capability to call a tree dragon style? i have a cotoneaster that i have labeled semi cascade, but it has a lot of the same qualities (in rough form) as these trees do. can anyone explain?

chris

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Tiny-Plant

I think that the dragon style is a popbonsai thing. Atleast in Lisa Tajimas book there is this dragon style.In short: The dragon makes it rain... And that is important because of all the lack of good water. (Correct me if I am wrong!)
The tree in the book has a jin, which could be a cause of lack of water? =) And thats why we should respect the "dragon", and be satisfied in what we have. The tree could be any bonsai that has been grown to have an idea of this.
These were my thoughts.

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Jerry Meislik

I have never run across a definition of the bonsai style called dragon. As an imaginative style, versus a realistic style that is supposed to be a pine or elm, use your imagination to depict a dragon - large teeth, fierce claws, lots of coiling body parts.
So, in my thinking, its up to you to depict that creature.
How about a picture of the tree?
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
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ChrisM

jerry, the tree is in rough form right now, i have never styled it, but i suspect someone did try because of a few scars in the trunk. i purchased it, a white pine, at the beginning of this year and plan on leaving it alone for at least one year before attempting anything with it. i will get a pic up as soon as i can. as far as the tree, it is doing great, budding like crazy, so the outlook is looking good. thanx to you both.

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

OlBlue

Chris. Professor Amy Liang,in her book The Living Art of Bonsai, speaks of a "Coiled Dragon style,or form. She is describing Chinese styles.I suspose these styles are as valid as any other. Both Masters Naka,and Yoshimera, show Bonsai with dragon names. Both picture trees in the Coiled style,and twisted trunk style, really do suggest there are dragons in there.I guess it dosen't matter what style the tree is . If you think you see a dragon in the tree,I would go for it. IMHO ,we shouldn't go to far in showing any creature ,in our Bonsai, but should try to subtely suggest it. Good Luck Blue

discobassoonist

Interesting question Chris.

I have included some passages from "Garden Guide BONSAI" byAnne Swinton (Harper Collins Publishrs. 1996)
In the introduction, she mentions that the Japanese History of Bonsai is much shorter than the Chinese.

"During the 14th century, the increasingly powerful merchant classes became interested in the little trees, with the result that in order to satisfy demand, young tress were potted and trained using a method known as 'tako'. This involved coiling and tying the trunks and branches with hemp string, to reduce the height and give a gnarled, twisted effect combined with an overall pyrmadal Shape.

From 1603-1867 Japan enjoyed a period of peace, during which the arts - including those associated with horticulture - were developed considerably. Landscape gardening reached new levels of excellence and scope for bonsai training was impoved by interest in the Southern School of painting, which was causal in the development of Literati style bonsai. For a while during this period (Tokugawa) rather grotesquely-shaped trees were condered good bonsai but, unfortunately, this fashion was a short-lived one."
This is in my oppinion where "pseudo-names" were given to ancient styles, that only a handful of people might have been interested in and continued to pass this knowlegde down through the remaining generations. In another book (and I can't find it right now) the author mentions that during this same era (1603-1867) trees were shaped to resemble images, such as ghosts and spirit. It is unclear whether they were more "topiary"-like or more "suggestive" of the image. Whether this is true or not remains to be discovered, however, early Japanese scrolls depict these images, and have thus become a Major source in both historical reconstruction, but also general research.

More importantly though, because we're researching one art-form using the records of another (paintings) one might forget that the artist has the ability to compose the images, and start a fashion. The artist could have depicted the tree first, and the bonsaist followed suit, but then again, it could've been the other way round, tree first, painting after.

To be perfectly honest, the validity of the "dragon" style is only 50/50. Which means that you can still have one in your collection. Who knows, the re-development of the gnarly and grotesque might come back into fashion someday, as so many other things do( ie. fashion, music, art, trends and hobbies....)
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Dane