Teacher, please listen to what we have to say from the heart

High Mountains and Flowing Water

 Guzheng

Yu Qiuxuan 

00:00/05:32

Teacher, please listen to us

Original author | He Xiaobing

This article was first published on Teacher He Xiaobing's Meipian

Copyright belongs to Teacher He Xiaobing

The festivals of September have no pure white magnolias, no luxurious peonies; only the faint, lingering fragrance of osmanthus, thought-provoking and unforgettable.

Time is like sand in our hands, slipping through our fingers... In the blink of an eye, teacher, you have left us for 5 years, yet everything seems like yesterday. You were like a brilliant star in the night sky, streaking across the heavens, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Chinese penjing.

We cannot forget your figure toiling diligently on the podium!

We cannot forget your tireless reminders in the classroom!

We cannot forget your spirited passion in conversation!

Teacher, as Teachers' Day approaches, we want to tell you: our innermost thoughts, our gratitude, and our achievements!

It was you who gave us a treasure trove of knowledge, a fountain of wisdom;

It was you who taught us the principles of being a good person, the norms of conduct.

Your every action exemplifies traditional virtues,

Your every pot and every scene embodies true human feeling;

Every article of yours was carefully weighed word by word, deliberated sentence by sentence, vivid in content, easy to understand;

Every speech of yours was vivid and expressive, hitting the mark, humorous yet rigorous, earnest yet witty;

Every work of yours was a perfect fusion of national character and the spirit of the times, blending emotion and scene, with beautiful artistic conception that set the imagination soaring;

Your entire life you devoted your heart and soul to the cause of Chinese penjing, working tirelessly to the end;

You founded Chinese dynamic penjing, earning widespread recognition and praise.

You often taught us: "Frugality cultivates integrity, diligence compensates for inadequacy, a sense of shame is close to courage, a love of learning is close to wisdom; be earnest in conduct, be steadfast in work..."

You possessed the spirit of bamboo: "Before emerging from the soil, it already has joints; even reaching the clouds, its heart remains empty."

What you gave us was always positive energy. Under your guidance, our souls were purified, our horizons elevated.

Your teachings we will always keep in our hearts.

All things flourish in spring and mature in autumn.

In the past, we were proud of you!

Today, you are proud of us!

We are working diligently in our respective positions for the development of penjing: working hard, studying earnestly, laboring tirelessly, cultivating quietly.

Teacher He (left) and Shen Lianqing (right)

"Returning Boat at the Cliff" - Shen Lianqing (Wuhan, Hubei)

Teacher He (right) and Liu Chuangang (left)

@Liu Chuangang:

My esteemed teacher Mr. He Gansun had deep feelings for me as vast as the sea, and even gave me a rebirth. In matters of personal virtue, artistic thought, theoretical systems, creative practice, and teaching and mentoring, the teacher benefited me for life. The teacher was erudite, rigorous in scholarship, kind and generous. His personal instruction was like a refreshing awakening. The teacher opened a window of light for me and led me onto a brand-new path in life.

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the teacher's passing, we weep in remembrance, expressing our grief. We beseech the heavens: if there is a next life, we will still be teacher and students! ... May the teacher be well in heaven!

"Riding the Tide" - Liu Chuangang (Haikou, Hainan)

Teacher He (first from left) and Xing Jinke (first from right)

"Flying Dragon in the Sky" - Xing Jinke (Jingmen, Hubei)

Teacher He with Feng Liansheng (back row left) and Xing Jinke (back row right)

@Feng Liansheng:

Deeply remembering our esteemed teacher, Master He Gansun. The teacher lives forever in my heart!

"Spring Dawn on the Gan River" - Feng Liansheng (Xianning, Hubei)

Teacher He (right) and Zhang Zhigang (left)

Camera: Canon Canon EOS 6D

Aperture: f/6.3? Shutter: 1/165? Focal length: 67mm? ISO: 100?

"Dancing Mountain Forest" - Zhang Zhigang (Huangshan, Anhui)

Teacher He (right) and Zhang Xianjue (left)

@Zhang Xianjue:

On September 6, 2013, Teacher He left us. That year I suddenly felt I had lost my anchor on the path of art. So many penjing matters surged into my mind at once, with no conclusions for a long time. I wandered in confusion between inheritance and development. Who would share this with me?

5 years have passed. Recalling the days spent with Teacher He, his teachings on penjing were deep, broad and thorough in every aspect. Great virtue carries all things - this was a story Teacher He often told through examples. I remember one autumn, Teacher He was tending penjing in the old house. That day I had eaten at Teacher He's home the authentic braised pork made by Teacher Xia, our teacher's wife. After the meal, I asked Teacher He a question that had been weighing on my mind for a long time. I remember Teacher He said: "In my memory, no one has ever asked this question." I asked: regardless of how the course of history evolves, what is the highest realm of penjing art? Without a moment's hesitation, Teacher He answered: "The unity of heaven and humanity."

More than 20 years ago, these four characters were not in vogue. At the time I remained silent all the way home. These four characters have always been my motto in pursuing the realm of penjing art. Although these four characters can now be seen everywhere, for penjing art, each character is a book.

Today, on the occasion of remembering Teacher He on the fifth anniversary of his passing, I share this with everyone.

"The Woodcutter's Work" - Zhang Xianjue (Wuhan, Hubei)

Lei Tianzhou

"Soul of Jing" - Lei Tianzhou (Nanyang, Henan)

"Listening to a Chorus of Frogs" - Tang Jiqing (Wuhan, Hubei)

Camera: HUAWEI RNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 100?

"High Mountains and Flowing Water Meet a Kindred Spirit" - Zhang Guangqian (Wuhan, Hubei)

"Evening in the Maple Court" - Bai Dengzhou (Xiaogan, Hubei)

Teacher He (center) with Xiong Dongchuan (right) and Xiang Hanwen (left)

"Listening" - Xiong Dongchuan (Wuhan, Hubei)

Teacher He (right) and Zhang Zelin (left)

@Zhang Zelin:

A teacher for a day, a father for life. Teacher, your teachings we keep in our hearts.

"After the Snow" - Zhang Zelin (Wuhan, Hubei)

Teacher He (left) and Ge Weiguo (right)

"Remembering the Past at Red Cliff" - Ge Weiguo (Wuhan, Hubei)

Teacher He (left) and Chen Xiaodong (right)

Camera: HUAWEI RNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 125?

"Misty Peaks and Clouded Trees Stir the Urge to Return" - Chen Xiaodong (Wuhan, Hubei)

Camera: Panasonic DMC-FX07

Aperture: f/4.0? Shutter: 1/199? Focal length: 9mm? ISO: 100?

"Suddenly Looking Back" - Liu Yonghui (Wuhan, Hubei)

Hu Dayu

"Empty Heart" - Hu Dayu (Nanyang, Henan)

"In the Same Boat Through Wind and Rain" - Huang Lianhui (Liuzhou, Guangxi)

Teacher He (left) and Xiao Chengyi (right)

"Ode to the Lotus" - Xiao Chengyi (Guilin, Guangxi)

Teacher He (right) and Jiao Yingxun (left)

@Jiao Yingxun:Forever remembering our esteemed teacher!

"Gazing at the Heights" - Jiao Yingxun (Tangshan, Hebei)

Penjing artist - Zhang Jiao (Xiangyang, Hubei)

Penjing artist - Chen Yougui (Zhaotong, Yunnan)

Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D7100

Aperture: f/3.5? Shutter: 1/249? Focal length: 18mm? ISO: 100?

Penjing artist - Li Heming (Xiaogan, Hubei)

@Li Heming:

Deeply remembering our esteemed teacher, Master He Gansun. The teacher lives forever in my heart!

Penjing artist - Chen Zhiyong (Xiaogan, Hubei)

Camera: Canon Canon EOS 550D

Aperture: f/5.6? Shutter: 1/197? Focal length: 29mm? ISO: 400?

Penjing artist - Wang Liyong (Haikou, Hainan)

Penjing artist - Zhang Hao (Huaibei, Anhui)

@Zhang Hao Penjing Art Studio, Huaibei, Anhui:

Deeply remembering Elder He, carrying forward penjing craftsmanship and letting it flourish!

Camera: samsung SM-N9200

Aperture: f/1.9? Shutter: 1/221? Focal length: 4mm? ISO: 40?

Penjing artist - Hou Minggang (Xiangyang, Hubei)

"Singing Softly Over a Light Drink" - Xiao Qi (Guilin, Guangxi)

"A Tree Standing Out in the Forest" - Li Min (Jingshan, Hubei)

"Love in Eden" - Wan Zhangling (Jingshan, Hubei)

Teacher He (right) and Zhang Qizhi (left)

Camera: HUAWEI RNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 80?

"Picture of Clear Charm" - Zheng Xumang (Jingmen, Hubei)

Camera: HUAWEI FIG-AL10

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 100?

Teacher He (left) and Liao Baoji (right)

"Harmonious Win-Win" - Liao Baoji (Qinzhou, Guangxi)

"Prehistory" - He Xiaobing, Wang Mingqiang (Wuhan, Hubei)

Liu Chuangang and his students

Camera: HUAWEI LON-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 4mm? ISO: 50?

Zhang Zhigang and his students

Your life was a glorious life, and also an ordinary one; glorious in that you worked efficiently, ordinary in that you kept a low profile. Although you never assumed the title of teacher, we still must say: Teacher, thank you, you have worked hard!

We appreciate your ideas,

We carry on your ideas,

We carry forward your ideas!

In the story of time, you are but a brief interlude, yet absolutely a classic piece that will be sung yesterday, today and tomorrow, forever engraved in our hearts, echoing in our minds, accompanying Chinese bonsai as it goes global and toward glory!

Device: HUAWEIRNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 160?

Leaders of the Flower and Viewing Stone Branch of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture: Hu Yunhua (first from left), Li Kewen (first from right), and Teacher He's students: Liu Chuangang (second from right), He Xiaobing (second from left), unveiling the bronze statue of Teacher He Gansun. The bronze statue is located in the Jinyuan Museum at Hainan Flower World.

Device: HUAWEIRNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 500?

Students posing for a group photo with the teacher's bronze statue

Device: HUAWEIRNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 50?

Peaks Vying in Beauty

Group photo of bonsai art masters

Front row from left: He Gansun, Wang Yiding, Hu Rongqing, Liang Yuemei, Wang Xuanmin, Lu Zhiwei, Pan Zhonglian, Hu Liguo

Group photo of bonsai art masters

From left: Zhao Qingquan, He Gansun, Zhu Zi'an, Xu Xiaobai, Su Benyi, Hu Liguo, Li Te

In the bonsai world, there are many people of both virtue and artistry, and you, teacher, are one of them.

Here, we pay tribute to the bonsai people who have made selfless contributions to the cause of Chinese bonsai!

Device: HUAWEIRNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 160?

"Thunderous Momentum" (sketch) - Wang Mingqiang

Device: HUAWEIRNE-AL00

Aperture: f/2.2? Shutter: 1/999963365? Focal length: 3mm? ISO: 320?

"The natural charm, lively rhythm, soaring dynamism, and freehand effect" are the core theories of dynamic bonsai.

Today, Teacher He's student Wang Mingqiang has recreated the charm of "Autumn Thoughts" in the form of a sketch. It is a portrayal of nature, giving us a new interpretation of the concept of dynamic bonsai. One truly cannot tell whether "Autumn Thoughts" is the ultimate of dynamic bonsai, or the pursuit of Chinese bonsai.

Since many of Teacher He's students and friends in various places did not leave contact information, we are temporarily unable to send materials in time. We offer this post as a sincere notice, and ask for your understanding; to be continued.

Thank you all for your support and deep affection for Teacher He!

Not seeking worldly scenes in a pot, but begging for true goodness and beauty in the world!

May the cause of Chinese bonsai have a bright future!

Selected messages:

@Chang Zhigang, the one friends can trust:

In deep remembrance of Chinese bonsai art master Mr. He Gansun, our revered teacher has ridden the crane westward... His voice, smile, skills, ideas and virtues will forever be passed down through the world! Master He Gansun will forever live in the hearts of bonsai people!

@Liu Kunquan:

Old He: you made tremendous contributions to the development of national culture and art! Bonsai people will forever miss you!

@Cui Peicheng from Shandong:

Thankfully the bonsai world now has Teacher He Xiaobing, who organically combines poetry and prose with bonsai, making bonsai a "voiced poem" - "a voiced poem, a three-dimensional painting, a living art of sculpture."

@Zhang Fulu from Shangqiu, Henan:

?What Teacher He Xiaobing described comes vividly to mind, very treasured historical materials, recording history and passing on the future.

@Jiyiyuan:

Teacher He Xiaobing has lived up to the teacher's expectations; you are a talented woman in the bonsai art world, carrying forward and promoting the essence that the teacher created in Chinese bonsai art. This is our common wish! Keep it up!

Highlights replay:

Chinese bonsai welcomes you!

Enjoyat any timethe bonsai exhibition hall

Promote bonsai culture, exchange bonsai skills!

Enjoy bonsai art, share a happy life!