Catalog of the "8th Congress of the Chinese Bonsai Association," held at the Yasukuni Shrine, Kudan, Tokyo, in Showa 4 (the fourth year of Emperor Hirohito's reign, or 1929). A fold-out table lists each exhibitor, and the (often poetic) titles of their contributions. e.g., "The first snow of the seventh month, the moon's shadow lingers at the fragrant hermitage."
"Chinese Bonsai" presumably refers to penjing, an ancient Chinese art form of creating miniature landscapes incorporating rocks, water, moss, and even tiny figurines. in Japan, penjing became simplified over the centuries under the influence of Zen Buddhism. Where penjing creates a narrative mise-en-scène, perhaps referencing some mythological event, bonsai usually strives to capture the essential kami (spirit) of a tree or plant. As you can see from these examples, the Chinese Bonsai Association was very much interested in creating complex compositions in the penjing style. An interesting window into the history of bonsai in Japan.
Catalog of the "8th Congress of the Chinese Bonsai Association," held at the Yasukuni Shrine, Kudan, Tokyo, in Showa 4 (the fourth year of Emperor Hirohito's reign, or 1929). A fold-out table lists each exhibitor, and the (often poetic) titles of their contributions. e.g., "The first snow of the seventh month, the moon's shadow lingers at the fragrant hermitage."
"Chinese Bonsai" presumably refers to penjing, an ancient Chinese art form of creating miniature landscapes incorporating rocks, water, moss, and even tiny figurines. in Japan, penjing became simplified over the centuries under the influence of Zen Buddhism. Where penjing creates a narrative mise-en-scène, perhaps referencing some mythological event, bonsai usually strives to capture the essential kami (spirit) of a tree or plant. As you can see from these examples, the Chinese Bonsai Association was very much interested in creating complex compositions in the penjing style. An interesting window into the history of bonsai in Japan.
