Bonsai Aesthetics and Wabi-Sabi
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the norms to define what makes works of art beautiful, and how to appreciate their beauty. It considers what happens in people’s minds when they see aesthetic entities, such as works of art, drama, music or poetry.
Bonsai, like most Japanese art forms, derives its aesthetic norms from Zen Buddhism. The central tenet of Zen Buddhism is the impermanence and transience of life, that is, (1) nothing is perfect, (2) nothing lasts, and (3) nothing is finished in this world. The Japanese Zen world view is nature-based and advocates the simplicity and beauty of living in harmony with nature. This doctrine is called Wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi is the recognition and appreciation of the imperfection, impermanence and incompleteness of life.
Wabi means “poverty”, and denotes a lifestyle wherein all but bare essentials are given up, yet opulent in thinking and aspirations. Sabi means “solitude” or “loneliness”, and symbolises freedom from the shackles of the society and detachment from the dreariness of day-to-day life.
Bonsai, as an art, should conform to Wabi-sabi aesthetics. The three attributes of Bonsai, according to Wabi-sabi, can thus be surmised as (1) imperfection, (2) impermanence and (3) incompleteness. Wabi-sabi premises that a bonsai is never perfect, always evolving and never finished; the artist has to continue to work on it.
In Zen Budhism, there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-sabi.
1. Fukinsei – Asymmetry, irregularity: Perfect form and symmetry are impossible in nature. Likewise, bonsai should be imperfect, but pleasingly balanced visually.
2. Kanso – Simplicity, avoidance of complexity: Zen does not accept superficial complexities of life, and values simplicity. A bonsai should not contain more than necessary.
3. Shibumi – Austere sublimity, minimalism: Zen art is beautiful by being understated, by being precisely what it is meant to be and not elaborated upon. A bonsai should invoke the image of a mature full-grown tree in the mind of the viewer with minimal constituents.
4. Shizen – Naturalness, spontaneity, absence of pretence: Zen art should look natural. A bonsai should not show any trace that an artist has ever worked on it and styled it the way the tree looks, or rather reveal that human intervention ever took place. It should look effortless and informal, as if it had always been that way.
5.Yugen – Subtly profound grace, not obvious: The work of art should evoke images of more than what is. It should present an opportunity for depth of thought, and suggestions that leave room for interpretation.
6. Datsuzoku – Unbounded by convention, freedom: The technique, form, composition are all often formalized in Zen arts. But Zen aesthetic allows the artist to go beyond conventions. Rules should be followed, but it should enable and not restrict.
7. Seijaku – Tranquillity, peace of mind: Every element in bonsai should be harmonious and should convey an ‘active calm’ to the viewer. The Literati (Bunjin) style of bonsai typically emanates this quality, and represents the beauty of the imperfection of nature, which is the essence of Wabi-sabi.