Man in a Scroll II

[kakejiku]

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?13685-Scroll-for-Japanese-Exhibition
Now a question about the scroll. What is your thinking about introducing a "man" image in a scroll used for bonsai? Since traditional formal bonsai display in a Tokonoma (alchove) is based on three point concepts (Japanese Trilogy) of Man, Heaven and Earth. With the tree being "man" the scroll heaven and the accent earth, wouldn't a man in the scroll be redundent?

Here is another example of a scroll with in this case two humans. The scene painted is Takasago (高砂） which is a depiction of Jou and Uba, an old man and woman, that indicate a married couple.

 

[kakejiku]

Maybe this is a poor example, because it could be construed that the Takasago are actually spirit manifestations. In a Noh play a Shinto priest encounters Takasago, who are spiritual manifestations of the renowned pine trees Takasago and Suminoyoshi...

So the painting could either represent the marriage dolls or the religious deities...

Either way, the Takasago represents a pine itself, and having a Red Pine in the display...wouldn't that be considered redundant?

 

[dick benbow]

difficult question to answer, but am enjoying the lesson and realize how important it is to have a grasp of japanese culture to be able to grasp what your teaching. awaiting your explaination.

 

[kakejiku]

awaiting your explaination.

It was more of a rhetorical question...Thinking aloud to myself...but maybe if I translate the displayer's paragraph explanation it will provide some insight...All, I can say is that in this display book, this is my favorite display.

We think the tree has to be a monster to be able to grab your attention, but it is exactly the opposite and I can look at it for hours.

 

[GrimLore]

It is a great example of "less is often better". Very elegant, at least to me. Thank you for sharing that one.

Grimmy

 

[dick benbow]

I could understand having a human element in a scroll to celebrate an important marriage anniversary for an honored couple. The pine would still have a sense of age to it as other uses of items like turtle or craine tenpai. But agree less is more and it would be perfect to honor a marriage anniversary....

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Your question about a "man" image in a scroll is an interesting one. For me it is all about balance. It has been proven that the human form draws a person's eye. It is a very strong element. Even in a large landscape, a human figure will draw your attention. So you have to make sure it is very subtle. A human sitting, or turned away from the viewer, is softer than a human in motion, or coming toward the viewer.

I do not like the display you posted, because I think the scroll dominates the display. No one will see the tree - they will all look at the scroll. I like the scroll, I just think it requires a stronger tree.

 

[kakejiku]

Here is another key this is the display that was placed in the front lobby to welcome everyone into the exhibition...

Now, this was the 2nd place winner at the 2013 Display competition at the Clark Center.
Really which scroll is too overpowering to the display?
Things to consider. Painting technique, Painting Style, age of the scroll, scroll style, painting dimensions of subjects in relation to the tree, width of the scroll, colors and patterns of the cloths...can you think of more?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I like this display much better as a DISPLAY than the first one. I actually like the individual elements in the first display better, but this second display is much more balanced, in my personal opinion. Not a big fan of the bonsai in the second one, personally - I think it looks ragged and unkempt, and it feels a little large to me and close in, but that may just be due to space constraints.

 

[dick benbow]

I like the first one because it's open and airy. I like the two point
and not three part display. later is too cramped. I can't tell what the tenpai is, but no matter.As it's not needed.