Yoichi Nakanishi, Nakanishi Chinshoen bonsai garden in Takamatsu’s Kinashi town, proposes the life with bonsai. He served as Chief of Administration Planning Division in Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition in Takamatsu. Many foreign fanciers came to visit it who thought bonsai is a part of life.

Life With Bonsai

In Chinshoen, where is famous for the beauty of display, the bonsai trees are decorating the entrance and the living room for enjoying visitors. Passing the entrance approach displayed many masterpieces, there is a Kuromatsu of Takan (tree having many trunks) at the entrance. Visitors receive the tree’s welcome there which has the voluminous look like a forest. The foreign participants of ASPAC Takamatsu liked “Wabi-sabi” sense like this.

In the living room, a Shinpaku (Chinese juniper) of Kengai creates the relaxing space. Visitor will also feel comfortable to hear the soft jazz music playing there.

It is typical to put bonsai in Tokonoma (recessed alcove) for indoor display. If your house is western style and doesn’t have Tokonoma, it is good to display it in the living room. The atmosphere will be changed only by a cloth. Nakanishi says, “I hope people enjoy their own bonsai freely.”

Future Way of Artists

By holding the Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition in Takamatsu, many people recognized the attraction of bonsai. The significant point was many beginners came to the event. An owner of bar was very moved to the display in Tamamo Park and he decided to show bonsai in his bar.

Nakanishi says about the future way, “In Europe, fanciers enjoy bonsai during a party. I recommend a new lifestyle enjoying bonsai at dinners and banquets to the stylish young people in Japan. For it, artists have to show the familiar attraction of it to many people. Henceforth we should go out from the bonsai gardens and tell how to enjoy it in lessons and cafes in towns.

(By Shigeo Hano)