Literati

[toohey]

Hi All,
What really makes a Literati as opposed to a tree with a very long branchless trunk.
Certainly, when you see a good Literati developed it is obvious, but hard to put into words.
Any advice?
Regards,
Michael Toohey

[Bretts]

Try here
viewtopic.php?f=121&t=2699

[Tony Bebb]

Hi Michael

Literati. My favourite style. Good info in the thread that Bretts gave you.

Literati for me is the most fascinating and expressive style in Bonsai. They generally have tall graceful trunks with minimal foliage, and should provoke thought and express an environment.

If you have access to old International Bonsai magazines, there is a magnificent article in BT 1997/No 1 titled 'Literati and Literati Paintings' by Susumu Suzuki. He is ans art critic and rights about who 'the' Literati were and why they painted, and relates it to Bonsai. I use a quote from this article at the end of any Literati demo I do which says,
"Bonsai ar representations of nature in miniature, ways of seeing nature...in a micro world. The viewing of Literati Bonsai is not just longing for nature but to experience it in depth and to provide food for the imagination. Trees that evoke this feeling in the hearts of the viewer, that call forth to the viewer, are the true Literati Bonsai."

I can never get enough of it.

Tony

[Gerard]

Thanks Tony and Bretts,

It is also my favorite style.
When I first looked at this thread, I saw the title "literati", followed by a link to a past discussion.
My first thought was ....I am not going to read an old thread, I have probably already seen it.

I came back later and had a look, wonderful examples and explanations from Stymie followed by lots of uninteresting discussion about the competition which ended long ago.

While it was Bretts intention to direct us to good information and avoid repetition this thread was almost snuffed out before it began because I suspect many people do not follow these links (and if you do where would you post a response?)

Most people want pictures and since our competition is well and truly finished how about a few people showing us their progress.


This is one of my favorites, sorry I have no idea where the picture came from but too good not to share

P1070842.JPG