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Jan 04 2017 6 Comments

Old and beautiful Japanese bonsai

Old and meticulously cared for bonsai are incredibly beautiful things. In our fast-moving, increasingly chaotic world, they are also objects of quiet, almost ethereal calm. Creations that elegantly take a stand against the prevailing desire for quick results or regular reinvention.

Nurtured and cared for over centuries, the trees’ anonymous and often long gone custodians neither craved for, or were rewarded with, any kind of recognition whatsoever. Instead, they were simply temporary guardians. Skilled practitioners granted the pleasure of such works of art, but at the same time given the far more important task of preserving their beauty for future generations.

a beautiful japanese bonsai

Categorized: Culture, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denton says

    1/4/2017 at 9:05 am

    Very beautiful and very cool. Great start to the new year! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      1/5/2017 at 10:58 am

      Yes, they really are fantastic things. Always a pleasure to see.

      Reply
  2. cdilla says

    1/4/2017 at 10:05 pm

    A superbly detailed and well-lit photograph to start the New Year.
    I have a “display area” in my office/man cave, and it has at least 500 items I find precious and interesting. Contrast that to this area and it’s beautiful and ancient minimalism.
    I saw a similar area at traditional tea room which had a single rose suspended on the left wall in a rough ceramic vase and a calligraphy scroll on the back wall.
    If I had to choose I’d settle for my kaleidoscope of clutter, but the simplicity and quietness of the above focusses attention on the tree that so deserves it.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      1/5/2017 at 11:02 am

      Thanks. With the lighting and the way it was set up, pretty much everything was done. All I needed to do was press the shutter.

      Yes, it really does. So simple and quiet, which like you say, gives the tree all the attention it deserves.

      Reply
  3. YTSL says

    1/4/2017 at 11:23 pm

    What a lovely first entry of the new year! Beautiful photo, and I also appreciate your accompanying words. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      1/5/2017 at 11:03 am

      Thank you. That’s very good to hear. The whole process (and of course the results) fascinate me, so it was good to write something about it.

      Reply

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