An Interview with Boon Manakitivipart
Boon on Career Bonsai, Hobbyist v. Artist
Sashi-eda: Boon, so many of us who are passionate about bonsai wish we had the fortitude to “go for broke” and try to make a living at it. What made you decide that it was right for you, instead of pursuing it part-time? And what is most difficult about that?
Boon: The [...]
Boon on Soil
Sashi-eda: Boon, when discussing bonsai soil, everyone seems to be emotionally involved with their favorite recipe. In fact, it reaches the fervor of a religious belief sometimes. You have a recipe that you use and teach your students to use. (Boon’s soil mix.) Are you dogmatic about that soil mix?
Boon: No [...]
Boon on Styling, Part 1
Sashi-eda: Aside from preserving the tree’s health, what in your opinion is the single most important aim in styling a bonsai, and why?
Boon: The most Important aim in styling a bonsai is a creation of natural feeling.
Balance is the beginning and the end. The natural outline of trees in general is [...]
Boon on Styling, Part 2: Pre-bonsai v. Yamadori
Sashi-eda: With all the brouhaha about the advantages or disadvantages of collected stock, prebonsai, and nursery stock, what would you say are the chief differences between styling a pre-bonsai or a young tree, and a collected tree?
Boon: You are in control of the shape and style of a young tree. [...]
An interview with Boon Manakitivipart: Part 1
I was introduced to Boon when he came to our local club for a “Master Weekend.” I have never hidden my feelings about these dog-and-pony shows, but this one turned out differently. I had reached a stage in my desire to learn bonsai that consisted mostly of frustration at a [...]
Boon on Talent and Technique
Sashi-eda: In some quarters talent is held as the trump card for making great bonsai. Can you discuss the relationship between talent and technique? How much can talent be developed in someone of average ability, and can those with average ability produce really great bonsai? In what area would [...]
Boon on the "Myth of the Single Front" and the Copper v. Aluminum "Debate"
Sashi-eda: Another manufactured controversy of late is 360-degree bonsai. Some have said that the idea of a single front view for a bonsai is a myth, that ” (t)he single front that has been taught in books, on the internet, and defended by many practitioners of bonsai just does not exist in any manner [...]
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Have you heard me speak?
