@yamashitaphoto

Trees as living art - in a Japanese Garden, all trees are considered elements of design just as stone and gravel. As the garden grew into an idealization of the natural landscape, trees that suggested windswept shorelines were added. Branches were tied, twisted, wrapped and bound to groom them into the gnarls and bends of a centuries old pine. Often they need the support of wooden crutches as they are being “trained” to extend out over ponds or islands The manuel training of trees is taken to its most extreme in the art of Bonsai where seedlings are transferred to earthen pots and pruned and clipped on almost a daily basis in order to stunt growth. This art became prevalent as room for gardens grew scarcer. #livingart #japanesegardendesign #bonsai #bonsaiart

September 26, 2021