Suiseki: More than Just Ordinary Stones

I wanted to call these beautiful crafts as nature's gift to man. 

Naturally, Suiseki  stone (pronounced suu-ee-seck-ee) are crafted not by any human intervention but by nature's strong but delicate forces like wind and flowing water. Termed as "Scholar's Rocks" in China, these stones are simply the representation of nature's powerful capacity to shape a stone perfectly in a way that it already creates a line joining man and nature together. Merely looking at this miniature paradise, it makes you see hundreds of life forms in just one piece of stone and that makes this piece of art spectacular. 

To make it simple to understand, let me show you some of the highlights here at the amazing Bonsai Exhibit and Convention held at Eastwood City. Since Suiseki mainly focus on stone appreciation, this live diorama  would be a great chance for everyone to see this magnificent, luxurious nature-given gift.

Hope you enjoy this mini-gallery!

The next time you see stones, don't think they are just ordinary. Think Suiseki. 

Bonsai: A Growing Piece of Art

It was long ago when I only considered music, paintings, photography and culture as form of art until I encountered these beautiful God-made but human-cultured creations called Bonsai.

Bonsai has been a form of art originating centuries ago and can be traced back from the remains recovered from Tang Dynasty  (618 - 907 A.D.) in China. Literally means "tray planting" since this art form has two main elements: a miniature tree and its tray, the cultivation of Bonsai didn't only become apparent in China but its overwhelming beauty was also refined in Japan, which is now more known to be the master of bonsai art.

To appreciate bonsai even better, I took time to visit this magnificent and amazing Bonsai Exhibit and Convention held at Eastwood City. Being supported by the Philippine Bonsai Society Inc., this exhibit features over 350 Philippine bonsai and suiseki. Since this is not just an exhibit alone but a competition as well, the best bonsai will be picked according to categories by the rumored Japanese judges who'll come here. Other highlights also includes lectures and demonstrations on how to take care and cultivate a bonsai.

The exhibit will run from May 29 to June 5, which I think a good opportunity for everyone to see and be amazed with these small but grand creations.

Bonsai is not just a common tree that you grow in your backyard that just needs the sun and rain to survive. Bonsai somehow is a miniature masterpiece of great scenery that you are growing in a tray or pot. Since this is more about landscaping and paying more attention to its details, one should devote more time, patience and effort in maintaining its breathtaking beauty.

Cutting, grafting, leaf trimming, wiring and clamping are some of the steps on how to cultivate a bonsai. Daily “feeding” (use of fertilizers) and watering are also essential in maintaining them.

When I saw these bonsai here, I realized how huge the effort that was put by the artist's loving hands to make this ancient art a spectacular living masterpiece.