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Pensai! How I spent my spring vacation
I just returned from a two week trip to Taiwan. While there, my sister-in-law had arranged for us to take a tour of some bonsai nurseries with a local master and renowned artist.
As most of you know, Taiwan is an island nation 80 miles off the coast of China, south of Japan, and north of The Philippines. The people are mainly ethically Chinese, but have a rich cultural history of influence from Japan as well, being a Japanese territory from 1895 until 1945. The rich cultural influences, and the mild equatorial weather provide for a diversity of plant life on an island that has tropical like rain forests at sea level, and temperate rain forests in the interior mountains. As a result, Taiwanese artists can grow and choose from a variety of bonsai compatible species. The banyan fig is by far the most recognized species utilized in the Taiwanese art, but juniperus chinesis, Japanese yew, cyptomeria, podocarpus, tamarind, Chinese parasol trees, common jasmine orange, Formosa firethorn, maple, Chinese hackberry and even guava among other species that all grow natively here, and are cultivated by the estimated 20000 professional growers/artists. Bonsai World All In All nursery owner Yen Zi-jing (http://www.bonsai.org.tw/aiabonsai/ , 235, Chengde Rd, Sec. 5, Beitou, Taipei), a professional artist and nursery grower has been creating and teaching what he and other local artists referred to as “pensai” for about 30 years. Master Yen is an accomplished artist having won numerous awards and recognition including the coveted Ismail Saleh Award from the BCI. Master Yen most graciously agreed to provide a tour of his nursery and the nurseries in the area to me and my lovely companions. We spent an entire morning touring the facilities, having tea and talking to the artists/owners. What follows are pictures of the world class bonsai by some of Taiwan’s most accomplished artists.
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Emerging from winter slumber Bonsai trees burst buds anew Spring is upon us! -Paul S. |
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#2
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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A couple of carved junipers, Master Yen's specialty, and a twin trunked tree that I was unfamilar with the species. Unfortunately I was not able to translate the Taiwanese name he gave for it. The official language in Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but many of the locals speak in native Taiwanese dialect.
Last edited by Ralph : 15-Mar-2006 at 01:45 AM. 
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#3
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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Nice movement in that huge pine. Looks like this one was grown from seed or when it was very young and the trunk still young enough to bend. In western pines you don't see that, the trunks being more angular from chops.
Should we call this "Taiwanese style"?  Last edited by Ralph : 15-Mar-2006 at 01:45 AM.
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#5
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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Master Yen introduced me to the owners of the other nurseries, and we spent time touring their works, and discussing growing techniques. These trees are grown in a native soil that looks supsicously like akadama. I asked one of the owners about this, and he said that it would be to expensive to use Japanese soil. Anyhow, what they are using seems to be working just fine.
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#7
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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You don't get to see many Taiwanese bonsai websites, and information on where to find bonsai in Taiwan can be hard to find. Many of the growers are very competitive and don't readily share information. My sister-in-law made several inquiries before being directed to Master Yen, and his compatriots that I visted. Master Yen, on the other hand is very anxious to share Taiwanse bonsai culture, and was very generous with his time and information. I bought several Japanese stainless steel tools from him, at about 60% the cost I could buy retail back in the states.
If any of you also wish to further explore bonsai in Taiwan you are most welcome to look up Master Yen. He is anxious to talk with other bonsai enthusiasts. His primary market for selling and teaching has been in South East Asia. He is also willing to offer a 4 month intensive appenticeship to serious minded artists who have the resources, and ability to communicate. Currently he is training his two sons who speak some english, so that they can travel and share their wonderful art with a wider audience. From what I saw of their work, they are quite capable and will be great ambassadors. Last edited by Ralph : 15-Mar-2006 at 01:48 AM.
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#9
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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These guys wern't shy about using bold pots either. There were trees in colorful chinese yixing pots, as well as traditional japanese pots.
Here is a quick link to a news article that Master Yen gave to the Taiwanse Times last year: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2005/09/22/2003272719 Last edited by Ralph : 15-Mar-2006 at 01:50 AM.
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#10
by
Ralph
on
15-Mar-2006
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Some shots of other owners. That fukien tea tree we posed at was created by this artist who has practiced bonsai for only 10 years. This tree won the President's award in 2004, as he says "it starts with good stock".
Those junipers were raw material just carved. The foliage will later be developed. Last edited by Ralph : 15-Mar-2006 at 01:56 AM.
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