my newest stand (s)

made of walnut, I opened my latest stand I had built. 12 inches in diameter. I took it out of the box and wrote a thank-you to my stand builder to let him know it arrived safe. After I sent the email, I got to cleaning up all the penuts (styrofoam) in the shipping box and discovered another little box. Upon opening, there was a minature of 3 inches in diameter. I was so surprised and delighted. So decided to share

Here's a thought, would using both of these tables in the same display, be something pretty nice, or considered overdone?

I am fortunate to have David de Groot, curator for the weyerhauser bonsai collection as a friend and mentor.
I asjed him for his thoughts and rather then keep them to myself, I thought I would share for the benefit of all


Re: the stands, that is a nice, classic design. Regarding using them together, a basic tenet of good traditional display is economy of expression - to not repeat elements - so as an example, we don’t put a trident maple secondary bonsai with a trident maple primary bonsai, or artwork depicting trees in a display with a bonsai, or have a companion plant of chrysanthemums with a scroll image of chrysanthemums. Regarding pots, the usual practice is to not duplicate the shape or color of the bonsai pot in the shape or color of the companion plant’s pot (not round with round, for instance, or blue with blue). Using these two stands together would ensure numerous duplications – both are the exact shape, same design, and both formal (with legs) rather than one formal and one informal – and since they are both round stands, it implies that both pots would be round as well – and probably both formal pots (with feet) since both stands are formal. One can always say “I know about that, and I am doing this by choice”, but then that choice should be well-reasoned, with an expectation that it helps communicate the basic theme of the display. I hope that helps.

足のある卓は真の位ではありません。実はクルミの木材と五足丸形卓は行の草の位でしょう。
ジョナサンより

Well Ok then Dick!
share his email address as well!
for those of us in need...
stonener

Stoner you have his contact info in a PM...

Jonathan, translate please

Jonathan, translate please [/quote]

The legs on a display table are not the formality ranking. (Criteria should probably be inserted into the sentence)
Being a walnut table (native tree and not a traditional hardwood such as Rosewood or Ebony) in the round shape wouldn't it be better classified as a Semi-formal (Secondary)/Informal(Primary) ranking.

some intereting points to consider. I'll have to talk with my stand maker and see how easy to work with and how readily available the traditional woods are.

If I've learned one thing about my fascination with display, there's a lot to get your mind around and take into consideration. Also our teachers sometime are divergent on various points.

I do appreciate you willingness to share from your experience.....

Semi-formal and formal are not bad, it just goes back to your original question about using the same tables in the same display. Pair a formal tree and styling with a semiformal Taku, or a semi-formal Taku with an informal jiita...Which is the same principle that Mr. DeGroot was explaining to you.

Thank-you for your explaination.

I wrote my stand maker and asked what it cost per foot for rosewood and ebony. Gives new meaning to the expression of a pretty penny....

I really hadn't given any thought to the use of traditional or national woods so that was interesting to me to also be aware of that consideration.

dick benbow wrote:Thank-you for your explaination.

I wrote my stand maker and asked what it cost per foot for rosewood and ebony. Gives new meaning to the expression of a pretty penny....

I really hadn't given any thought to the use of traditional or national woods so that was interesting to me to also be aware of that consideration.

Yes expensive...and the shitan/kokutan (Rosewood & Ebony respectively) jikusaki (ends of the scrolls) that I sell are only $15.00. Mine are the real deal, but there are stains that mimic these two that are much less expensive.

However, be careful about the term National Woods...not native to Japan. The general term for the imported wood is Karaki. Karaki wood is considered formal. Stands from native trees, like your walnut, would be Semi-formal....It is not bad, just the classification, and matching it with other elements.
唐木 【からき】 (n) exotic non-Japanese wood (rosewood, ebony, blackwood, etc.); imported wood [Edit][Ex][G][GI][S][A][W]
木工芸では、木を、硬木、軟木と、唐木に分類します。 In woodworking, we classify wood as hardwood, softwood or exotic wood

So Kakejiku,
is Maple soft, informal,
Mahogany, hardwood formal,
and Cherry, exotic formal?
stonener...

Kakejiku wrote: be careful about the term National Woods...not native to Japan. The general term for the imported wood is Karaki. Karaki wood is considered formal. Stands from native trees, like your walnut, would be Semi-formal....It is not bad, just the classification, and matching it with other elements.
唐木 【からき】 (n) exotic non-Japanese wood (rosewood, ebony, blackwood, etc.); imported wood [Edit][Ex][G][GI][S][A][W]
木工芸では、木を、硬木、軟木と、唐木に分類します。 In woodworking, we classify wood as hardwood, softwood or exotic wood

Just out of interest, what would someone of Japanese origin but now living in another country call (in Japanese) the native wood and the wood imported to their new country of residence? Would it be the same words, or can karaki only mean wood imported to Japan?

It does not matter the location of the person. This term Karaki as I am using it is used primarily to signify the exotic Rosewood and Ebony for bonsai stands. They are a formal material for display stands. If the wood your stand is made of is native for you such as mulberry or (walnut in the case of this post), or insert a wood commonly used in your location then it is semiformal and bamboo and some other materials is informal. （真行草）The formality ranking of things is involved in many aspects of Japanese art, such as Calligraphy and my arts Hyousou.

Katejiku-san
Thank You very much for you time and effort!
so glad to read the words of someone,
who knows what their taking about!
and not just trying to be heard...
your clarifications are food for the starving!
stonener

I think your generous stand maker deserves a Plug.
Who made these for you and threw in the wonderful little freebe?
Or did you plug him/her already and I missed it?

I didn't plug him by name because I didn't want any uncomfortable feelings by anyone to promote a commercial enterprize on a chatline. His name is Will King, his significant other is the bonsai person in the family and he is a wood worker. talk about a match made in heaven. He usually makes something for me, and also for her. he lives in eagle Idaho near boise. Again I'd be more than happy to pass his email along for those interested in getting a quote on a project. just PM me...