The art of bonsai is widely known in the West: from the Karate Kid to
the American Bonsai Association and even local grocery stores, bonsai
has become a common sight in the States. But bonsai, the Japanese art of
creating miniature trees, actually originated in China, where it's
called penjing. Penjing, meaning "tray scenery," is a traditional
Chinese art of creating miniature potted landscapes including trees and
other plants. Brought from China to Japan in ancient times before
spreading to the West, bonsai/penjing is now popular throughout the
world.
In China, the art of creating miniature landscapes has evolved in
several different ways. Literati Style Penjing: Chinese Bonsai
Masterworks focuses on a special category of penjing associated with
traditional Chinese culture, such as the painting of the literati, or
elite scholar-bureaucrats, of imperial China. Like literati ink
paintings, this style of penjing has a subtle elegance distinguished by
a lone, lean trunk with sparse foliage exhibiting distinct lines and
simplicity.
The term "literati style penjing" has been widely accepted by the bonsai
community and is becoming more common within the bonsai world. It is
well suited to melding concepts from Chinese painting, poetry and Zen
into a stunning bonsai work, making it of interest to a wide variety of
gardening styles.
Literati Style Penjing; Chinese Bonsai Masterworks explains the
concept of penjing with a literati bent, exploring its rich history and
aesthetics, as well as cultivation techniques, and care and maintenance.
It includes 12 examples of literati style penjing creations, which
incorporate a deep knowledge of the art form together with practical
creativity and artistic beauty.
Lovers of bonsai will find much to inspire and delight within these
pages.
