Literati Tree Creation: Selected Works of Bonsai Master Zhao Qingquan

Name: Chuchen (Beyond the Dust)

Species: Japanese Black Pine

Height: 106 cm

Age: 25 years

Artist: Zhao Qingquan

The creation of "Chuchen" began in early 2004. The material was a mountain-collected Japanese black pine (Figs. 1, 2). Before starting, I conducted repeated examinations, and finally selected the front and back sides (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). The main principles for selecting the front and back sides were: viewed from the front, the trunk should not lean forward; the exposed roots and main branches should extend longer to the sides and shorter to the front and back; if the trunk has a curve, the main branches should emerge from the convex side of the curve, and must not emerge from the inner side of the curve.

Fig. 1, Front side of the selected material

Fig. 2, Back side of the selected material

When starting work, first cut off some branches that could definitely be discarded, such as opposite branches, overlapping branches and other undesirable branches, as well as overly dense branches (Fig. 3). For branches whose retention or removal could not yet be determined, they could be temporarily kept for a decision later.

Fig. 3, Making preliminary pruning

To facilitate shaping, two thick metal wires were placed snug against the trunk, then the trunk was wrapped with hemp cloth to protect the bark from damage during shaping (Figs. 4, 5).

Fig. 4, Wrapping the trunk with hemp cloth, with thick metal wires underneath

Fig. 5, Hemp cloth wrapping completed

Then a turnbuckle and wooden sticks were used to adjust and bend the lower part of the trunk to achieve a slight curve (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6, Using a turnbuckle and wooden sticks to bend the lower part of the trunk

Finally, metal wire was used to wrap and bend the upper part of the trunk, curving it moderately, and making the side branches emerge as much as possible from the convex side of the curve (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7, Wiring the upper part of the trunk

After cultivation, by the end of 2005 the branches and trunk had initially taken shape, and the foliage was beginning to fill out (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8, End of 2005, branches and trunk initially taking shape

The following year, two large branches in the middle of the trunk were cut off, and metal wire was used again for wiring, initially revealing the literati tree form (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9, Wiring again, initially revealing the literati tree form

Because I felt the work's individuality was not yet distinctive enough, in 2011 I again cut off the top branches, making the position of the largest weeping branch relatively higher, and the tree appeared more solitary and lofty. Only one small branch was retained on the middle-lower part of the trunk, to serve as a connecting link between top and bottom (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10, Cutting off the top branches

In 2014 the styling was basically completed, and it was repotted into an irregular-shaped ceramic pot (Figs. 11, 12).

Fig. 11, Photographed in June 2014. Fig. 12, Back side of the work

During the creation of "Chuchen", while cultivating it to make it fuller, I also continuously reduced branches and foliage, until no more could be removed. Not only were there very few branches on the middle-lower part of the trunk, but even the top was kept as sparse as possible, and finally the top branch was removed, seeking a feeling of "not a speck of dust". This aesthetic pursuit of extreme simplicity is actually consistent with the Daoist idea of "the great way is supremely simple" and the Buddhist idea of "one flower, one world; one leaf, one bodhi". An incomplete form can often more fully express inner spirit. "Enter the world with composure, transcend the dust with tranquility" - the heart finds its own peace.

Selected Literati Trees by Bonsai Master Zhao Qingquan

"Gazing" (Japanese Black Pine, height 105 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Standing Alone" (Japanese White Pine, height 70 cm, age approx. 35 years)

"Wind and Bone" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 115 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Elegant Gathering" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 100 cm, age approx. 35 years)

"Lofty Spirit and Noble Character" (Chinese Juniper, height 115 cm, age approx. 90 years)

"Racing to the Moon" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 85 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Into the Clouds" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 132 cm, age 30 years)

"Clear Shadow" (Japanese Black Pine, height 84 cm, age approx. 25 years)

"Keeping Watch" (Japanese White Pine, height 85 cm, age approx. 25 years)

"Ancient Style" (Huangshan Pine, height 85 cm, age approx. 80 years)

"Clear Autumn" (Japanese Persimmon, height 85 cm, age approx. 10 years)

"Leaning on Each Other" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 110 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Portrait of a Noble Scholar" (Japanese White Pine, height 95 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Inviting the Moon" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 85 cm, age approx. 30 years)

"Sparse Shadow" (Plum Blossom, height 85 cm, age approx. 15 years)

"Sparse Shadow" (Plum Blossom, height 85 cm, age approx. 15 years) Snow Scene Close-up

"Heavenly Posture" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 65 cm, age approx. 25 years)

"Facing the Void" (Shimpaku Juniper, height 86 cm, age 30 years)

Zhao Qingquan:I have had a special affection for literati trees for a long time. At first, when reading painting manuals, I discovered that in ancient Chinese paintings, especially literati paintings, most trees had slender, vigorous trunks with sparse branches and foliage, and there were rarely short, stout, full tree forms. For a long time afterwards, I kept thinking about this question: painting is different from bonsai - there is no issue of different costs for what tree form one paints; painting thick or thin is the same, so why did painters rarely paint thick trees? Finally I understood that this was entirely determined by the aesthetic orientation of Chinese literati, becausein slenderness one sees more character, in slenderness one sees more spirit, and a slender, vigorous, concise tree form can better express the author's feelings. It is often said that bonsai should possess poetic sentiment and pictorial atmosphere, and should achieve both form and spirit - actually the literati tree is the best example of this.

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