It is true that the population of bonsai is recovered by the success of Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition in Takamatsu. However, the future of bonsai world is demanded now. In Takamatsu’s Kinashi and Kokubunji town in Kagawa where are the largest producing areas of pine bonsai in Japan, the seasoned bonsai artists try to recover the population by new ideas.

Enjoy Freely

Takahito Hanazawa, Hanazawa Myoshunen bonsai garden in Takamatsu’s Kinashi town, puts effort into the bonsai of Sanyaso which people can enjoy the seasonal grasses and trees putting in their favorite pots. He emphasizes the tradition is important for the dignified Shohaku bonsai but Sanyaso bonsai can be included your taste and personality based on free idea.

He says, “Bonsai has to be changed from the style in Showa 40’s because people will be got tired. I feel strongly the current way is out of date. For getting the population among young people, it is necessary to develop the species and contrive how to choose pots and how to plant. I hope people can enjoy it freely.”

In bonsai world, a tree is the leading part and a pot is the supporting. Hanazawa thinks a pot should be chosen freely while sticking to the basics of the composition of soil and how to grow trees.

Interior Decoration

Actually his work is novel and has a dream. The trees show us the great future as interior decoration such as the camellia and Japanese apricot planted in the Mikawa tile and “Kinmeichiku” which is a kind of Japanese timber bamboo planted in the flat pot. The reason why he chose the Mikawa tile pot is to have good balance with the tree.

The title of the brochure of Hanazawa Myoshunen bonsai garden is “Play Seasons.” It introduces the works of Tsukushi (horsetail) and Fukujuso (Amur Adonis) which reproduce the wild atmosphere as catchphrase of “Yama no Ki, No no Kusa, Katawara no Hana (tree in a mountain, grass in a field, and flower of street).”

Hanazawa uses a natural stone and a driftwood as pot. In addition, a broken jar and an earthenware baking pan are also used. It can be enjoyed the seasons with the universe in a small pot. Sanyaso gets the popularity and the weight in bonsai world.

(By Shigeo Hano)