- Saikei
Saikei literally translates as "planted landscape" or it is the art of the living landscape. A classic form of
bonsai , it uses miniature trees, rocks, soil, water, and related vegetation such as ground cover to form replicas ofgardens ,deserts ,landscapes , and other beauties of the natural world, evoking the visual pleasure one finds in nature.In Japan the school of saikei was founded by Toshio Kawamoto after
World War II . He based this bonsai art form on the principles of group plantings and rock plantings of bonsai, as well as the are of suiseki [literally waterstones (sui=water, seki=stone)] , often interpreted as 'viewing stones'. His original objective was to 'thicken' up the trunks of nursery stock, to be eventually used as individual bonsai. It was a way for inexpensive plants and stones to be brought together in a pleasing arrangement that was easily accessible to the average person.More Information
* [http://www.artofbonsai.org The Art of Bonsai Project]
* Bonsai Articles and Helpful Tips [http://www.main.org/bonsai/articles.htm#Saikei]
* A Bonsai Close Up on Saikei [http://www.absbonsai.org/articles/Saikei.html]ee also
*
Bonsai
* [http://bonsaiandjapan.com Bonsai&Japan.com - Blog on Bonsai Trees]
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