Kokoro-no Bonsai Ten 2013

by Mrs. Daniela Schifano and Mr. Antonio Acampora

Herculaneum (Naples), 22nd-24th February 2013

Bonsai Exhibition of soul, mind and heart : the first event of 2013 led us on a clear path, rooted in the word Kokoro, which Mr. Antonio Acampora, president of the organizing club Naples Bonsai Club, wanted to underline along with some thoughts that accompanied us in the days before the show, in an unbroken dialogue that took place in the pages of the Forum of Naples Bonsai Club. From these pages I quote some of Antonio’s thoughts which can describe the 'heart' of the event better than my words.

"Many people asked me why we called our show" KOKORO". This name was given by the master Mr. Hideo Suzuki during a meeting of ours in which he was a guest (H.Suzuki is an honorary member of the NBC). He reminded us that in the Italian language mind, heart, or even life may indicate very different concepts while in Japan they often correspond to the same character (kokoro). So kokoro simultaneously shows both the mind and all human activities of which it would be the centre and not just the thought and the will but also the feelings. "Kokoro" is what is behind every feeling and emotion. It practically defines attitudes and behaviors of those who devote themselves to bonsai. The bonsai are valuable because they brighten our life and enrich the heart of men. "

"The pivot of our exhibition is the comparison between several Italian bonsai schools, recognized or not. This year there will be the Creative Bonsai of Mr. Sandro Segneri and the School of Mediterranean Bonsai, of Mr.Antonio Gesualdi. We believe that only watching and examining the work of all schools, every bonsai artist can freely decide and therefore determine his/her training choosing which school to join and follow. The mounting will follow our concept of preparatory exhibition to the world of bonsai: besides the hirakazari exhibition there will be a sosakukazari exhibition in which for the first time in Italy bonsai will be displayed with calligraphy panels alternating bonsai associated with ikebana. This is not for the sake of novelty or originality but to point out and make understand that all the Japanese arts are bound up with a common thread, that is the Zen aesthetics."

"Our show will be a vehicle of meeting, dialogue and knowledge between those who practise this activity and the curious ones who want to get closer to this practice. Then we will know if the show was a success. If immediately after the show we take a walk in nature, observing the natural characteristics of each tree, comparing them with the peculiarities of the trees on exhibit. If the comparison does not reveal very deep vital differences between the exhibits, then in my opinion it means a great success with positive outcome."

"During the Kokoro Ten 2013 there will be an innovative combination of calligraphy and bonsai in a synthesis in which both arts will be supported through an exchange enhancing their quality. In their combination aesthetic features (rhythm, style ) should be compatible. In bonsai there is a remarkable evocative potential. This quality also exists in shodo which mainly makes use of text, rhythm, font."

Here are the sosakukazari set up at the entrance of the exhibition: six display niches where bonsai, suiseki, calligraphy and ikebana harmoniously fit each other. This, believe me, was just the beginning.

"The theme of the show is the arrival of spring. Starting with some haiku (poetry that captures the pulse of life against a natural background never described but only suggested by the "kigo", a term for the season) that harmonized with the bonsai, the shodo, the 'ikebana and the suiseki, the sosakukazari display was born. In the hope that our show and exhibition can entice and attract many people to enter this fascinating as well as complex world that is the bonsai ."

"The haiku of Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) was chosen for the Sabina juniper of Mr. Sandro Segneri :

A clear waterfall :
into the ripples
fall green pine-needles

The kigo for calligraphy is clear waterfall, indicating the arrival of spring and the style of calligraphy made by the master Mrs. Daniela Di Perna is the Gyosho-Sosho style . In this Ishizuki with a juniper in style cascade there is a movement, a downward fluctuation as if looking for water. Also the shodo is in a vigorous style with an expressive power, the rhythm is fast and nimble with an inclined course like a waterfall. The clear light of the first kigo seems to caress the hair of juniper. The last part of the second Kangi resumes the long lower jin. The seal closes the composition. "

" The haiku of Morikawa Kyoroku (1656-1715) was chosen for the Phoenician juniper of Mr. Gerardo Moscariello :

Fresh wind :
over the green fields
a shadow of cloud

The kigo for calligraphy is fresh wind (suzukase). It indicates the arrival of spring. The style of calligraphy made by the master Mrs.Daniela Di Perna is the sosho style (italics) that well suits the elegant flowing hair. The wind evoked by calligraphy looks like walking between the branches of juniper. Notice how the last stretch up of the last Kangi suits Tenjin. The seal of the master closes the composition."

" The haiku of Miura Chora (1729 - 1780) was chosen for the cuspidate mullein of Mr. Bruno Beltrame :

Over the limpid nights
And the days of silent,
spring rains

The kigo for calligraphy is spring rains (haru ame) indicating the arrival of spring. The style of calligraphy made by the master Mrs. Daniela Di Perna is the Reisho style, also said of the officials. In this bonsai there is a basic structure that characterizes its style (strong, dynamically slow) also in shodo the master chose a character of writing (Reisho) which is a vigorous style with an expressive power. The pace is slow and lingering . It harmonizes with the bonsai so as to highlight the advantages of both and to increase the expressive power of the composition. The raindrops in the first Kangi seem willing to wet the leaves of the mullein. The seal closes the composition."

"For the Itoigawa juniper of Mr. Matteo Testa was chosen the combination with the Sogetsu ikebana by the master Mrs.Maria Domenica Castri. Since this juniper lives near water, wanting to indicate the arrival of spring the bud of Camellia was used (in the picture it bloomed) indicating the end of winter season (it is mostly used in the tea ceremony), in a raku pot leaning on a mat to indicate the water environment in blue shades of sea and pastel pink of spring containing water, the twigs with yellow buds recalling the ten yin of juniper. "

"The haiku of Hokushi Tachibana (1665-1718) was chosen for the suiseki of Mrs. Daniela Schifano ("Everlasting waiting") Shimagata-ishi - Island Stone:

Sailboats in a row,
island
lost in the fog

The combination with the Sogetsu Ikebana by the master Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì, on a crystal base in which you could glimpse blue lines suggesting sea waves, grey leaflets representing the fog that is going to envelop the island, eventually the peach bud illustrating both the imminent spring and immortality."

"For the kishu juniper of Mr. Mauro Stemberger was chosen the combination with the Sogetsu ikebana by the master Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì. To indicate the arrival of spring was chosen a sprig of wild prunus with swollen buds ready to bloom (on the trunk there were lichens symbolizing resistance to unfavourable environmental conditions) with yellow inflorescences on the base in a pot by spring colours.
The Sogetsu style was chosen because of its refined elegance. The special care in the combination of materials is very close to the spirit of bonsai. "

Thank you, Antonio. I decided to quote literally, with his permission, the President's words because they show with what care, organization, competence, knowledge and love this event was prepared in the smallest details. Also thanks to all members of the Naples Bonsai Club who gave a continuous discreet support.

The exhibition was held in a place of exception: Villa Campolieto, one of the eighteenth-century residences in Herculaneum, located along the Golden Mile, that stretch of the ancient Calabria road so called after the splendour of the Vesuvian Villas built by the aristocracy of Bourbon court.


The back side overlooking the garden and the Bay of Naples		The elliptical portico by Luigi Vanvitelli		The upper vestibule

In the splendid lounges were set up the exhibitions of the competing bonsai and suiseki and the displays of Shodo and Ikebana by Mrs. Daniela Di Perna and Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì. So the synergy between the old decorations to simulate a verdant garden and the exhibits created a striking continuity between the interiors and the surrounding nature.


The main hall housed the bonsai competition		The Hall of suiseki		Another view of the suiseki on exhibit


The calligraphies by Mrs. Daniela Di Perna		A camellia, a vine branch and a Raku ceramic a creation by Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì		The exhibition of Ikebana made by Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì of the Sogetsu school

The didactic program was very rich: the woking of a pot for shitakusa by Mr.Tiberio Gracco was accompanied by the words of Mr. Massimo Bandera about the beauty of pots and accent plants. Mrs. Luciana Queirolo confronted some Japanese schools about the difficult controversial topic of an exhibition of suiseki and Mr. Antonio Acampora gave an involving lecture on the cultivation and selection of accent plants. Simultaneous demonstrations of Bonsai schools like Bonsai Creativo School and Bonsai School of the Mediterranean, the laboratories and demonstrations of Shodo and Ikebana, the conference of Mr. Luca Bragazzi, a rich market ... actually there was no chance of getting bored.
A pleasant surprise was for me the visit from Rome of Mr. Massimo Gobbi, an artist mastering the technique of sumi-e with skill and expressive power whom I recently met and clearly ... intrigued.
Time passed by too quickly enjoying the many details of the exhibitions, chatting with friends, browsing around the items on sale.


A pair of particularly delicate Tenkei, accompanying the stone of Joseph Filocamo		An accent plant exposed with a bonsai		The Ikebana made by Mrs. Maria Domenica Castrì symbolizing the fog rising from the sea.

I was guest of an event of the highest level which honored me creating a sosakukazari display for one of my stones. For this I thank the creators, the members of Naples Bonsai Club and Mrs. Castrì who accepted and won the difficult challenge of making an ikebana to accompany a suiseki with harmony. I thank those who, by their involvement, a result of study and meticulous preparation, allowed the development and improvement of my knowledge: Mrs. Luciana Queirolo, a judge for suiseki, Mr. Massimo Bandera, Mr. Antonio Acampora.

Of course, I dont forget that the exhibition was theatre of an exhibition of suiseki in competition. Many prizes were to be won: in addition to the three prizes of Bonsai Club of Naples were assigned IBS and AIAS Plaques and the Suiseki Magazine Prize by the judge Mrs. Luciana Queirolo. Moreover Mr. Massimo Bandera assigned the BCI Plaque, while the Italiansuiseki team assigned the "ItalianSuiseki " Plaque. I give space to the stones, winning or not, which took part in this event.

The suiseki in display

1° Prize "Kokoro-no Bonsai Ten 2013" for the Suiseki