Man in a Scroll

kakejiku

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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?

I promised some displays with scrolls that have man images in them. Here is one.
Lake Biwa.jpgWinter Sanyasou 1.jpgWinter Sanyasou 1 Revised.jpg
The original display is on the left and the critiqued display redone is on the right. Translation by myself is attached.
I was born in Shiga Ken, and I became acquainted with the scenery around lake Biwa (Biwako) It was a joyful place to play among the reeds near the lakeside. Protections and preservation of the lakeshore is continuing, but due to drainage and development the water quality has declined and pollution has reduced the number of reeds around the shoreline, lessening the beauty of the scenery.
This display was created from a childhood scene etched in my memory. Viewing from the reeeds, I could see a fisherman in the far distance. It was a late winter that year, but the anticipation of spring was at the door, so the reeds were still dry but ready to blossom for spring. It made me think of the following poem.比良八荒荒れ仕舞 Hirahakko Are Shimai The end of the storm that brings the cold wind in February on Lake Biwa.
In order to complete the scene with the standing dry reeds, I used a wallscroll with a fisherman and a long formal rectangular lacquered jiita to give the impression of the viewer of seeing this from the lakeshore. The plan of using this jiita was probably a little too hard, but I thought it would work. Always Sensei’s advice is to have a scroll that transports one into the scene. Use of thin objects is best and become transparent to the viewer. With the standing reeds as the main object, I think it achieved a more than elegant taste. In displaying with Shouhin it takes a playful heart and you can display with inexpensive pieces. These qualities also allows the layperson to have a chance at using their heart to display their story. However, elegant displays attach themselves to the foundation but stops short of conceitedness. It has a hint of spirit in the display. Not just the tree or grass plantings or pot, but all the elements of the tools and the artisans work is in the display to create the entire spirit of atmosphere. Because of that one must have understanding, touch, and joy in the heart to create a display. I want to have the heart to share my display so that others will have a spring of joy come to them and a deeper appreciation of nature.

Critique:
This Seki Kazari does an excellent job of telling the intentions of the scene, however, the main planting I feel screams a little bit of impudence, haughtiness or is uncharacteristic. Almost all grass plantings dry out from the fall to winter, and because it is common, but shows good workmanship for the look necessary for the Sanyasou.
Using the original jiita for the lake shoreline was OK, but it does not convey the feeling of cold that is associated with the cold wind storm in February, nor does it match the painting. This type of jiita seems to step on the excellent display of the stalks of reeds. The miginagare hidarikatte setup concentrates the display, and expands it in the inner working of having a sense of semi formal. The lines of the rectangle jiita are too strong, and this jiita would work better for a summer scene. Also by changing this into a suiban and using a natural shaped jiita, the display becomes more settled. By making these changes, it gives consideration and attention and the display is abbreviated and simplified.
 
I do think the color of the scroll with it's brown tones matches the season well with the brown tones of the winter dried reeds
 
The grasses we have for various accent look VERY much like the potted in that display at this frigid part of the year with the exception of what looks to me like green moss. Here the moss has turned to a brown carpet for the most part.

Grimmy
 
Jonathan, for me, seeing that I don't know very much about the theosophical
side, and all the different meanings, I would address your thread from the
following perspective...

That in Bonsai we, "Man", create the trees. I don't think there are very many
people that go to a show thinking that the trees we do, haven't in some shape
or form been altered by a human. However, we are trying to create an "illusion"
of just the opposite, that we didn't alter, or create them for the viewer.

Our job as artist is to try and transform reality... to take the viewer on a trip so
to speak, to a land where this tree in all it's beauty and hardship is somewhere
growing, and if the viewer uses their imagination, they will be able to see the
pine or juniper growing in nature on a mountain side, or the bald cypress growing
in a swamp.

With this said, when one thinks of a human, we don't think of them living on a
mountain, or in the swamps... instead the first thing that comes to mind is that
they reside in a house, in the city, far away from nature... Perhaps, this is because
most of us do... We have our nice manicured lawns and shrubs, and we trim our
trees !!!

So, I would personally want to take this into consideration more so than the
theosophical side, as to what I want my viewer to think... If I put an image next
to my tree of a man, is my viewer going to subconsciously think "Man" and not
be allowed to distance themselves from the fact that a human being created this
tree ??? Perhaps they will ??? Perhaps not, and will then be looking for all the
"man-made" imperfections in my tree, instead of taking that journey.

I am all for pushing envelopes and trying new things... so, my comment is not
meant to say no... but more to consider how such a subject is used in Bonsai.
If a really awesome Banyan tree was used as a Bonsai, could someone have a
scroll of the Buddha meditating ???
 
The grasses we have for various accent look VERY much like the potted in that display at this frigid part of the year with the exception of what looks to me like green moss. Here the moss has turned to a brown carpet for the most part.

Grimmy

This was from a professional display exhibition in Japan. Regardless of season, I believe the moss needs to be show ready...Taking the individual person into the scene on the shores of Biwako, is the intent of the displayer...in my opinion.
 
as to what I want my viewer to think... If I put an image next
to my tree of a man, is my viewer going to subconsciously think "Man" and not
be allowed to distance themselves from the fact that a human being created this
tree ???

I am all for pushing envelopes and trying new things... so, my comment is not
meant to say no... but more to consider how such a subject is used in Bonsai.
If a really awesome Banyan tree was used as a Bonsai, could someone have a
scroll of the Buddha meditating ???

1. Isn't that what it is doing...placing you in a geographical location so that you feel you are in nature itself.

2. This is not pushing the envelope. This is a display from an established, Japanese system called Gadou to show and exhibit your bonsai formally. It was done to answer the question posed by another poster about using images of men in scrolls (not anthropomorphic religious) images.

3. If you feel the image of buddha would work with an appropriate tree, then it could be done (That was already delineated in the original post)...But that would pose another difficulty, Religious images of Buddha are to be framed in a style of scroll called Butsu Hyougu, which is frowned upon for use in a display by Gadou practitioners.
 
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