treeman wrote:I know many will disagree, but I find this tree and many others like it to be rather grotesque and unatural. If I had it I could see myself becoming unsatisfied before too long
Some modern growers are moving away from the traditional reason bonsai were first grown---to have and enjoy a BEAUTIFUL tree in a pot reflecting nature and its seasons.
Now it seems the important thing is size and trunk diamater above beauty.
I agree with the late Kyuzo Murata when he said bonsai are getting to big. Soon someone is going to try to dig up an elm as big as a house and pot it up. Lets have another look at the old Japanese masterpiece maples, pines and apricots for right direction. Anyone agree?
You mean something like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7F2cOrGzdo
I can appreciate your sentiment but, although you put alot of "in my opinion" notices up I feel that you think it goes further than your opinion.
Personally I think Roberts casuarina is stunning. The story of that powerful masculine trunk, capped with amazing secondary branching and ramification. To me it shows great skill and is also beautiful.
Again I appreciate your sentiments but get the feeling that you may be a little behind on the trends in the world bonsai community.
Since Kyuzo Murata died in 1991 (maybe it was from his comments?) there has been a trend towards the smaller bonsai being the most popular.
Maybe I misunderstand you some as along with smaller trees there has also been a trend towards "chunkier" trees.
This goes hand in hand with wanting to re-create the shohin style in a larger tree.
Personally I appreciate all styles of bonsai big, small, elegant and masculine and don't feel any need to follow the trend. Some times the bueaty of a tree is mainly it's sheer size. Why would we exclude this from the beauty of bonsai. Yet the elegance of a tree can be equally as stunning.
Others may lean towards liking specific styles of bonsai. I don't think it is for anyone to call ones not to their liking grotesque and unnatural. Especially when it is obvious that much time and skill has gone into creating them.
On the other hand large trees like this can captivate a larger audience and it is probably a smaller audience of the more schooled in the arts that will also appreciate an elegant tree just as much for the skill in it's creation and beauty.
I think in time you will find some very stunning examples of penjing that will sway your opinion there. But then again if you fail to see any beauty in this casuarina maybe it is yourself that does not understand why we grow bonsai/penjing
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
