Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bonsai Galore

Our visit to Bonsai Master Robert Stoll's magnificent collection

Bonsai is a traditional Japanese art form that dates back to the 6th century where miniature trees are potted in various styles and techniques. In Zen Buddhism the practice of Bonsai is used as a form meditation and a way to find inner meaning. By manipulating the way a tree grows one can attain a better understanding of the tree itself. There are many different forms and techniques of Bonsai.



The littlest big Redwood tree

Informal Upright


Informal Upright or moyogi style is characterized by visible curves in the trunk and branches

Root over rock


Root over rock or sekijoju style is a style in which the roots of the tree are wrapped around a rock entering the soil at the base of the rock.

Windswept

The windswept or fukinagashi style is a form of Bonsai where the branches are growing all in one direction as if they had been blown towards that direction by a strong wind.

Cascade

One of the hardest form to create, the cascade or kengai style, is where the trunk and branches grow below the pot as if they had endured the intense pressure from natural forces.

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