Sekkaigan Bonsai Sculpture

Although the word ‘Bon-sai’ is Japanese, the art it describes originated in the Chinese empire. By the year 700 AD the Chinese had started the art of ‘pun-sai’ using special techniques to grow dwarf trees in containers.Originally only the elite of the society practiced pun-tsai with native-collected specimens and the trees were spread throughout China as luxurious gifts. During the Kamakura period, the period in which Japan adopted most of China’s cultural trademarks, the art of growing trees in containers was introduced into Japan. The Japanese developed Bonsai along certain lines due to the influence of Zen Buddhism.  Many well-known techniques, styles and tools were developed in Japan from Chinese origin. This rich history and love of the natural world is my inspiration for this cold cast bronze sculpture.  I respond to the detail and form given nature's rock. Each sculpture is one of a kind that refers to the original concept and should be prized for their beauty and uniqueness.  I am attracted to the sense of calm and imagination the bonsai tradition offers.