Penjing wannabe

mike_p

There's been a lot of discussion on another thread about bonsai vs. penjing, and what is what.
This image is a "penjing wannabe" I put together a few years ago using some old Kingsville boxwoods.
So, penjng? Yes? No? Maybe?

Mike

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__________________
Learning the mechanics of bonsai is a matter of rote. Over and over again the processes are practiced until the hands and eyes know the moves.
Learning the art of bonsai may be more like water wearing away a stone, or climbing a mountain where the peak is always shrouded in fog and just out of reach.
Persist, and someday you may see the peak in sunshine. You may pick up the stone and it's a thing of beauty.

MP@BBB Studio

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bonsaial1

First of all I voted no. Not because it is not Penjing, because there were not enough choices. Almost the same as Will's question. Of course if you do not know what it is, how could you be expected to offer that as a choice.

I vote saikai. Same thing basicly, but enough differances to not call it penjing.

Saikai: landscape scene in a bonsai tray or basin. A scene planted in soil within the pot. Trees need not actually have any particular flavor to make the scene interesting.

Penjing: Landscape scene in a thin marble tray with no actual covering of the entire tray. Negative space is left to enhance the composition by providing the viewer with some of the scene but leaving out enough to simplfy the image. The white space could represent and ocean, or a river, a back eddy in a lake, or the ocean compleatly surrounding an island.

Penjing are most traditionaly done with water eroded stones. They could be from the ocean or a river. They will be like in color form and texture. This scene seems to be done with igneous stone, (lava/ bowl rock)

Most penjing will be composed with trees with a decidedly Chinese image, thus borrowing the Chinese term for the composition. Saikai tends to be a more Japanese term. These boxwoods have no Chinese flavor in my opinion. But man this could be an image I have seen hundred of time while passing thru Pacheco Pass near Casa De Fruita. I hope that was your inspiration, because if it was you nailed it. This captures perfectly the large spread oaks in the rugged terrain of those mountains thru that particular pass.

This is a nice Saikai Mike, good work, Al

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RedPine

Hi MIke,


This isn't bad looking I don't think at all.The design doesn't look very Chinese though,seems to be more of a tight-nit sumo rock planting where the rocks and trees compete with each other for control.I like Penjing groupings to have big rocks with a small scragily trees,or alot of robust trees with small portions of rock.Rocks and trees are ment to go together but one should accent the other.This is just my take,feel free to disagree or help me out if I goofed.


Ha-ha funny,no-one had replied when I began typing.
Shows how little I know,good thing I'm just a rookie!
I did think oak trees when I saw your boxes though.

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mike_p

Hi Al
I only put in 3 choices so as not to muddy the waters. Any one of the three can be partially correct, but only partially. I know that. as do you.
I think that a 4th choice could be "fusion", as this is how I view it, because it's based on my experience as a student of miniature landscape.
In years past, I've worked with 2 masters that I think were the premier teachers at the time, Melba Tucker and Tom Yamamoto. For those that don't know, Tom was a teacher at the Kawamoto Saikei school in Tokyo. Tom and I were close enough at the time for him to ask me to be his assistant at a demo when he saw me in the audience.
I've done saikei demos and workshops at the club level in years past, and conducted a saikei workshop at a GSBF convention in San Jose several years ago. None of this is intended to blow my horn, but just to establish that I've had some experience. However, having said that, at my age, I tend to do my own thing, for better or worse. And, I recognize that sometimes it doesn't work, but it's a learning tool.
Regarding Highway 152 and the Pacheco Pass, a most impressive drive. This is for sure where I decided that boxwood bonsai should use the quercus agrifolia as the model.
I'm happy that you recognize my indebtedness to this area, and other Northern California areas with oaks. Certainly among the worlds great trees.

Mike

__________________
Learning the mechanics of bonsai is a matter of rote. Over and over again the processes are practiced until the hands and eyes know the moves.
Learning the art of bonsai may be more like water wearing away a stone, or climbing a mountain where the peak is always shrouded in fog and just out of reach.
Persist, and someday you may see the peak in sunshine. You may pick up the stone and it's a thing of beauty.

MP@BBB Studio

bonsaial1

Thanks Mike. I do indeed enjoy that drive every chance I get to drive it. In fact I will be driving it next Sat. on my way to San Francisco on a buying trip.
I do hope that there are those here that understand the significance of just what happened here between these two exchanges.

My ability has been challanged as well as my eye and intuition as to how I percieve bonsai and the related. I find this exchange most rewarding.

Thanks again Mike, Al

__________________
It's about time that the proper respect be given to the fine art of balloon animals...

Newt

I like this Mike!

The only thing I see that is a little bothersome is the third tree from the left has a massive trunk but no branch spread, and your main tree has a smaller trunk (the rock behind almost had me fooled but not quite) but almost double the branch spread of the other. Otherwise I love it!!!

I have enough frequent flier miles to make it out west. I have made it out west three times in my life. Once to Vail Colorado for a snowboarding trip, once to Bever Creek Utah for the same and once to L.A. and Redando (sp?) beach for work. I love it out there, the Rockies are awe inspiring!!! My wife was born in Santa Cruz but was addopted and brought east. She has never been back so I want to plan a trip. When would be the best time of year to plan a trip? Any suggetions on things to do and see (bonsai related and other stuff)? Thanks for any suggestions (PM me if needed, not meant to hijack the thread)!!!

Newt

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Opportunity must not be lost while the gods smile.
-Li Jing

mike_p

Hi Newt
I think that most of us who have lived in the Bay Area for many years would suggest Spring or Autumn as the best time to visit. The summer months on the coast are subject to fog and wind, which can be chilly. Every July in San Francisco will find tourists dressed in shorts and short sleeves shivering on street corners. Mark Twain is reputed to have said that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Having worked on construction in The City, I have a feeling for that statement.
One bonsai site you wouldn't want to miss is the Golden State Bonsai Federation bonsai garden in Oakland. World class! Kathy Shaner is the curator.
Depending on when you visit, there may be other bonsai events you could attend, such as exhibits and club meetings.
I'm sure that if you decide on a time and post it here, we can come up with an itinerary for you.

Mike

__________________
Learning the mechanics of bonsai is a matter of rote. Over and over again the processes are practiced until the hands and eyes know the moves.
Learning the art of bonsai may be more like water wearing away a stone, or climbing a mountain where the peak is always shrouded in fog and just out of reach.
Persist, and someday you may see the peak in sunshine. You may pick up the stone and it's a thing of beauty.

MP@BBB Studio

Newt

Thanks Mike! I'll let you know.

Newt

__________________
Opportunity must not be lost while the gods smile.
-Li Jing

Jgs bonsai

I think it is a saikai.