Ravi Kiran wrote:
.....In a highly prejudiced world of "Japan Centric Bonsai" your thoughts come as a breath of fresh air.. Hope the world catches on...
I fully agree with Walter's thoughts in the article but I don't know how you relate this article by mentioning 'Japan Centric Bonsai'.
What's wrong in being Japan-centric, if someone wants to? And how does this contradict the article? Do you mean to say that the Japanese do not take into consideration the elements, which Walter has highlighted?
Although one comes across trees of Japanese bonsai that look too 'technical' if I may use the term, but that cannot be reason enough to blame the Japanese bonsai as whole?
Whether you agree or not, tThe Japanese have showed us the way, which we cannot ignore. I personally find their sense of balance, the appropriate pot selection (whatever the style of tree) very impressive and inspiring. Even if you see their shohin arrangements with the accent plants, one can instantly feel the perfect balance they can reflect, in most of the cases.
The 'prejudice' lies in the individual mind of the observer and cannot be forced by someone whether it be Japanese, European or American bonsai. Each tree needs to be appreciated individually, and not based on region.