February 28, 2015

Something Wonderful: "American Shokunin"

"A master doesn't retire. A master doesn't stop. They do it until they're dead."

Shokunin (Sho-koo-neen)

is a Japanese word used to describe an individual that aspires to become a master in their particular craft or art form. Ryan Neil falls firmly into this description, as he has been practicing the art of Bonsai for nearly two decades. In this short film, we get a glimpse at the broader thinking behind a professional American Bonsai practitioner, as well as some of the inherent challenges and aspirations that come along with the pursuit for bonsai mastery in America.
More at Ryan and Chelsea Neil's Bonsai Mirai

14_0319_studio-179.jpg

DSC_7670.jpg

DSC_0059%202.jpg

Posted by gerardvanderleun at February 28, 2015 10:55 AM
Bookmark and Share

Comments:

HOME

"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Wonderful Video, Gerard.

Reminds me of this video - but a bit more specific:

http://player . vimeo . com/video/18305022

Posted by: cond0011 at February 28, 2015 1:44 PM

I recognize it's an art/craft, but it's not for me. I did respond to his statement that trees are like persons. To my mind, more like dogs and cats. If they are to live with us, they are to be trained.

But I am a minimal trainer. Don't poop in the house, don't bite, and don't crazy bark. Otherwise, live your life as you please.

Same way for trees. I will cut you back, it's my house and land and sunlight after all, and you can't grow willy-nilly. And if you misbehave or are absolutely the wrong tree in the wrong place and are of no benefit, then cut down you are. But other than than, I leave you to grow as you please.

I have a hard time seeing bonsai as anything other than torture. I sorta cringed watching this video. I'm glad somebody likes it.

Posted by: John A. Fleming at February 28, 2015 5:23 PM

"American Bonsai" uh? Could be the start of a new TV series.
Comparison to pets, specifically dogs 'n' cats not that far off. A more comfortable topic than children, with better results.

"Stuffed Pets" is another one. With the wonders of taxidermy these days we can have Fluffy or Fido stuffed in a natural pose and then placed around our homes in favorite positions.
My uncle Louie Lozko, we all called him "Letsgo Lozko", he raised bantam chickens. Whenever one of his favorite hens or cocks would pass away he's haul 'em down to his buddy Josef the Taxidermist and have them stuffed and mounted.
"Dat vay, dey neffer die" sez Letsgo.

Posted by: chasmatic at March 1, 2015 6:59 AM

I understand Thomas Kincaid has a bunch of settings for a model train board.
The station, a bridge or two, a waterfall, a barn with sheep in the pasture, some sylvan glades and mountain meadows.

Posted by: chasmatic at March 1, 2015 7:56 PM