[Cranium]

I love the artistry and form of well done bonsai. I have seen many fine examples in photos and real life. I've been collecting books and reading all about the rules and traditional styles. I fully intend to follow the rules for many of the potensai I am starting.

I am also collecting handmade ceramic pots (hand thrown with nice glazes) and intend to grow nicely sculpted/shaped miniature trees in them that complement the shape and color, and follow some general guidelines about pruning, etc. These will likely not be in an "authentic" or traditional bonsai style. I realize these will never be considered true bonsai and would never be displayed as such.

Is there a name for this style? I've seen a book published in Japan called "Pop Bonsai" which is more about having fun and being creative while still producing a visually appealing miniature tree in a container. (I first saw this book at the Portland Japanese Garden, by the way.)

http://www.popbonsai.com/Pop Bonsai

Do the advanced bonsai artists ever just break the rules and have fun creating a whimsical little freestyle tree? I'd love to see some photos of the rule breakers. Or are they in your closets hiding from public view?

[jkl]

Is there a name for this style? I've seen a book published in Japan called "Pop Bonsai" which is more about having fun and being creative while still producing a visually appealing miniature tree in a container. (I first saw this book at the Portland Japanese Garden, by the way.)

http://www.popbonsai.com/Pop Bonsai

Do the advanced bonsai artists ever just break the rules and have fun creating a whimsical little freestyle tree? I'd love to see some photos of the rule breakers. Or are they in your closets hiding from public view?

I've got Lisa's book. Kinda silly. But it is evidence that folks do silly things every now and then. You won't see them at many shows, though. This one is a lit shorter now but it's still in this pot. 7 inches.

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[Joe Pelonio]

I have never been a fan of the triangular, full foliage trees that are often shown which adhere closely to the rules, they just aren't interesting enough for me. On the other hand, the "bonsai style" garden trees that have pom-poms I have found objectionable, I consider them topiaries which have their own place but again are not my taste. To me the most interesting bonsai are those that tell a story of hardship, surviving whatever mother nature has dished out over many years. While those often do meet most rules, there are others broken, and to me the artistry is more important than meeting the rules.

Following rules makes it easier for people to construct an acceptable bonsai, without rules there has to be something about a tree that makes it special to the viewer. To me a good comparison is music. Any intelligent, coordinated person can learn to read music and play the piano, but not that many can express the feeling and emotion that makes a performance exceptional.

[bonsaidad]

Well said Joe, i was told once " to break the rules, you have to know the rules", so it is by far better to learn them, and then decide in which artistic way you will be able to break them, and still make the finished item pleasing to the eye.

I have no doubt that the masters throughout the years have broken all the rules, or in fact re-written them, and sometimes it nice to have a talking point on a tree.
And as long as you are happy with the results then that is fine, but never give up learning, or looking for knowledge!.



Best regards BD Paul

[indigostar]

I have seen some of the pop bonsai and I like some of them, I tend to break some rules with my trees, and I agree with joe I like the trees with a story, I prefer bonsai trees that have twisted and gnarled trunks and branches, interesting bends and bows, and an exquisite display of exposed roots... However I do try to keep good balance but not all trees grow very balanced it all depends on the conditions of its environment... I just like a tree that still has a natural look to it but at the same time has a very artistic look and feel, one that looks like it grew in out of the ordinary conditions. I dont deny that a traditional bonsai that looks more like it was grown in the middle of an open field with almost perfect proportions is just as artistic and beautiful, I am just more attracted to something with lots of character! But then again maybe I am just nuts!!!

[bonsai boy11]

They arent rules!!!!!!!!!! They are guidelines as said by one of my mentors in bonsai. He breaks them all the time and I think he has a wonderful bonsai style. What styles do you like? What tree do I want it to look like? What do I want to do? You should ask yourself these questions. Its all up to you. I have some trees that brek probably every rule/guidelines and they appeal to me which is all that matters. If your happy with it who cares what other people think. Still, at the same time these guidelines will lead you to a great bonsai that more people will probably like. Bonsai is an art. The painter gets to choose his strokes but a skilled painter goes to school to learn guidelines which he can follow to become a better painter. that was sorta hard to explain for me but I tried. Pretty much what Im saying is that yes there are guidelines and yes some people stick to them but if you look at some of the people more skilled at bonsai they usually keep some rules and break a few more. Its part of their style. You will define a style as you get better and will find out what appeals to you.

YES THEY ARE MEANT TO BE FOLLOWED AND ALSO MEANT TO BE BROKEN

[grouper52]

I love the artistry and form of well done bonsai. I have seen many fine examples in photos and real life. I've been collecting books and reading all about the rules and traditional styles. I fully intend to follow the rules for many of the potensai I am starting.


Do the advanced bonsai artists ever just break the rules . . . ?

There are MANY rules - I believe you can find a more or less complete list of them somewhere on Brent's blog, IIRC. While they are designed to create a "perfect" bonsai, there is probably no such thing, and all bonsai fall short of this "perfection." In addition, striving for perfection often stiffles creativity.

This topic has engendered many discussions, with varying degrees of civility, here and elsewhere. Art of Bonsai is almost entirely devoted to this topic, and might be a good place to gain some background about it.

Many of the rules are merely traditional values from the Japanese aesthetic. Many others have a broader appeal. All of them are useful to know, and I think any budding bonsai enthusiast would do well to try to understand them and put them into practice at first. But I don't think one should be wed to them, especially as one progresses beyond beginner stage. Many people rebel against them at first, only to end up with disasterously unattractive trees, but a true master can often create a masterpiece that relies on the rules very little. It depends on your abilities.

[jkl]

This topic has engendered many discussions, with varying degrees of civility, here and elsewhere. Art of Bonsai is almost entirely devoted to this topic, and might be a good place to gain some background about it.

And all such discussions are outright nonsense. Never has more been written about so little of consequence.

It boils down to:

If you want to have your trees accepted into shows, follow the rules, guidelines, codes, ground rules, instructions,protocol, or standard procedures, whatever you want to call it.

If you don't want to show your trees do whatever you want to do.

[bonsai boy11]

I follow many guidelinesbut at the same time break them. I am not quiite ready to show a truly worthy tree. I have many different opinions as most do. I look at bonsai as an art to the creator. And if you are going to show it. You made it as an art to show others. I'm sure if I was entering a competition I would follow many rules I wouldn't normally follow but since at the moment I don't I want to stick to what's appealing and artistic to me

[Fargus64]

It boils down to:

If you want to have your trees accepted into shows, follow the rules, guidelines, codes, ground rules, instructions,protocol, or standard procedures, whatever you want to call it.

If you don't want to show your trees do whatever you want to do.

In the end, as jkl has stated here, its comes down to personal preference. There are people in this world that make a living at this hobby, and for them to be successful; they must follow all of the rules and guidelines if they are ever to receive any gains. Although, there are people such as Nick Lenz who stretch the measure a bit with wacky and wild styles of Bonsai, but the majority of the great trees out there hold true to the basic Bonsai guidelines.

You get back exactly what you put into this hobby. If you want to become a world class Bonsai artist, then you need to please the masses. If you simply want to grow Bonsai for the pure ecstasy of it, then you only need to please yourself.

I will always stand by the fact that this is an art of choice. The main thing is that you have a fantastic ride along the way, and create your dreams.

Anthony

[Cranium]

In the end, as jkl has stated here, its comes down to personal preference. There are people in this world that make a living at this hobby, and for them to be successful; they must follow all of the rules and guidelines if they are ever to receive any gains. Although, there are people such as Nick Lenz who stretch the measure a bit with wacky and wild styles of Bonsai, but the majority of the great trees out there hold true to the basic Bonsai guidelines.

You get back exactly what you put into this hobby. If you want to become a world class Bonsai artist, then you need to please the masses. If you simply want to grow Bonsai for the pure ecstasy of it, then you only need to please yourself.

I will always stand by the fact that this is an art of choice. The main thing is that you have a fantastic ride along the way, and create your dreams.

Anthony

Totally agree. Initially I'm looking to develop my technical skills along with my artisitic sensibilities. Along the way I'd to create appealing mini trees in containers that people want to buy from me. That doesn't necessarily mean they will be "bonsai", in fact they likely won't be. But, they will be nicely shaped, well-rooted healthy little trees that people will enjoy. Perhaps someday I will strive to have bonsai entered into shows or on public display. But mostly I want to use the bonsai approach to create living works of art.

Is that so bad?

Thanks for turning me on to Nick Lenz! Love that.