Exemplary bonsai images - the lost thread

kompik

A month or two ago (on either bonsaiTalk or The Bonsai Site forums) I found a thread discussing which image(s) you would show to someone completely ignorant of bonsai to help explain what it was. The point was to try to introduce something other than Karate Kid trees to people unfamiliar with our hobby.

I've attached one of the most recommended images (actually it's a 1970s photo of the group planting, so it doesn't quite look like the more famous images out there). This group planting has a title and is done by a noted bonsai artist, but I can't recall the name of either atm.

Anyhow, if anyone knows what thread I'm talking about, or the name of the bonsai or it's owner of the image, please let me know.

Attached Images

mystery2.jpg (38.6 KB, 126 views)

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Joanie

John Naka's "Goshin"?

Don't remember that thread being here, it was probably at the other forum.

Joanie

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

I still get a lil pissed about how it got hijacked.

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f14/real-bonsai-21860.html

kompik

That's it, thanks so much Joanie!

Yeah. I thought it was an excellent topic and I'm very glad you started it. I'm just starting to really get into bonsai and am always trying to find ways to better convey to my wife, my parents, and my friends what exactly I'm looking for in a tree.

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

I agree....Most people when you say Bonsai they think of those stupid lil junies that they sell on the side of the road.

irene_b

Now now boys calm down!

Jase If I remember those things on the side of the road are also true Bonsai and I know they have been cussed a million on so times...
Irene

getting ready for the fire works!



making sure I am covered.....

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kompik

You just can't avoid the "troublemakers". =)

Irene, the question never was "what qualifies as bonsai?" Outlaw was (and I am) wondering about what you would show someone to explain what a bonsai artist *strives* for; what their *aim* is; what they *aspire* to. Poor finished products, or even excellent rough material, is *not* what a bonsai artist fantasizes about when he works on his trees. You don't achieve greatness by pursuing mediocrity.

So, a lot of the anecdotal stories on that thread about low-quality bonsai bringing people into the hobby misses the point. Sure, a kid finding a shiney rock on the beach may spark an interest in collecting gems and minerals in later life, but a viewing of the Hope Diamond would have a much different and more poignant affect. Of course a lot more kids find shiney rocks on beaches than wander thru the Smithsonian on any given day, so many more rock hounds start out as beach-combers, but that doesn't change the fact that the Hope Diamond is a much better exemplar than some random piece of quartz.

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zen

The best way that I have found to explain to the uninitiated, what bonsai IS, is
"A sculpture of a LARGE (sometimes very ancient) tree, using smaller plant material as the working medium, as opposed to, say, clay or metal."
And that usually seems to kinda get the point across,....although I have gotten quite a few "BUT WHY?" looks, even after explaining this,.....some folks just don't get it. LOL
BTW, so long as we're using one of Master Naka's trees as an example, it's worth mentioning that the greatest bonsai do not look like "BONSAI" but actually attain our goal, and look like trees.

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kompik

Yep, that's a decent definition, but sometimes images can speak volumes where words fall short. I'm reminded of the time I ordered some ivy from Evergreen Gardenworks. When my wife saw one of them she said, "Hey, this little guy is a bonsai already, he looks just like a little tree." True the ivy did have good bonsai potential, but it was just a small start and has many years to go before I would consider it presentable as bonsai. So, she did know conceptually what a bonsai was supposed to be, but she didn't have a good reference to compare those meager ivys to. Showing someone a really extraordinary bonsai can help them to see just how finely articulated, elegant, and beautiful a bonsai can ultimately be...and explain why you aren't satisfied with any of your own work so far. =D

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