Bonsai and Saikei

摘要

In saikei,the scalene triangle which bonsai artists use to developtrees is used in the placement of stones. The first three stones areplaced to form a scalene triangle, looking down from the top, andas additional stones are added, care is taken so that any stone takenwith any two other stones also forms a scalene triangle. Stones maybe used to hide defects but really are meant to be an integral part ofthe landscape. They offer alternatives to the tree as objects ofinterest, but don't have to be spectacular to compete. Ordinary stonesare fine. Stones don't substitute for roots; they should look as if theyhave roots of their own. This is accomplished by burying 40-60percent of the stone in soil. The stone shown here has been buried inthe soil of a boxwood saikei for five years and may well have roots; Ihaven't dug it up to look.