Saikei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saikei literally translates as "planted landscape" or it is the art of the living landscape. A classic form of bonsai, it uses miniature trees, rocks, soil, water, and related vegetation such as ground cover to form replicas of gardens, deserts, landscapes, and other beauties of the natural world, evoking the visual pleasure one finds in nature.
In Japan the school of saikei was founded by Toshio Kawamoto after World War II. He based this bonsai art form on the principles of group plantings and rock plantings of bonsai, as well as the are of suiseki [literally waterstones (sui=water, seki=stone)], often interpreted as 'viewing stones'. His original objective was to 'thicken' up the trunks of nursery stock, to be eventually used as individual bonsai. It was a way for inexpensive plants and stones to be brought together in a pleasing arrangement that was easily accessible to the average person.
[edit] More Information
- The Art of Bonsai Project
- Bonsai Articles and Helpful Tips [1]
- A Bonsai Close Up on Saikei [2]
