Bonkei and Saikei, Japanese Garden Landscape Art

For most garden enthusiasts, creating a landscape is a soothing activity. That is what is promoted by the art of bonkei and saikei from Japan. Though both of the forms are different, the activity is dealing with mini landscape garden ideas, creating art from various materials. 

1. Bonkei

Bonkei in English translates to “tray landscape” which created by putting miniatures of the natural landscape in a box or flat tray. The miniatures are aesthetically formed by using sand, papier-mâché or quick-dry cement. It depicts a mini-scale of natural views like mountains, rivers, hills, and cliffs. The structure is painted as close as possible to nature. 

Different from saikei, bonkei does not incorporate living material like plants or moss. Traditionally, a bonkei can be displayed at a proper height and on a proper background – the same manner a bonsai should be displayed. Depending on the theme, a bonkei may also include mini figurines like people, cars, and other objects.

To decorate a miniature Bonkei , you can involve using a statue of an animal around it. This statue always gets a charming aesthetic impression.
One effort to perfect your Bonkei miatur is to use mini statues, for example people. Put Bonkei on a container that has a unique shape.

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An interesting Bonkei design with natural view looked like in mountain. The stone is represent like a mountain and the Bonkei is as a big tree. Complete it with moss to make the Bonkei looks more natural.

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Involve the use of stone and sculpture to complete the illusion of an interesting Bonkei landscape. Bonkei can describe the natural scenery in the mountains which is very cool.

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Place the miniature Bonkei on a white tray for a luxurious appearance. This miniature Bonkei design is easy to maintain, so it doesn’t waste much time cleaning it.
So that the Bonkei miniature design looks more natural, then you can include natural landscapes such as mountains. Complete with stones to make it look more perfect and natural.

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This Bonkei miniature illustrates a small scale of natural scenery in the form of a river. Equipped with a statue of a small person makes this design increasingly wanted to be owned by many people.

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2. Saikei

The difference between the mini landscape garden ideas of bonkei and saikei is on the object put on the tray. Saikei contains living plants, so it needs more maintenance than bonkei. Historically, saikei is made to preserve the art of bonsai that has been slowly dying. Since the maintenance is cheaper than a bonsai, saikei is an affordable option to propagate the Japanese traditional landscape art. 

The mini landscape garden ideas of saikei are to display a miniature of living plants, soil, hills, rocks, sand, or shoreline. When the plants are growing out of the tray, it can be pruned or placed outside of the tray—continuing its life as a grounded tree or bonsai. 

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The right pot is the key to successfully planting and caring for a Saikei tree. You can start with standard plant pots that have wide and round dimensions.

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Add other plants around Saikei to display maximum elegance. Pay attention to the slope of the soil to show that Saikei plants are more fertile and healthy.

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Stone can be a natural container for Saikei plants. Saikei plants are more directed towards living plants. Take care of it regularly by giving fertilizer and watering it.

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The wide tray helps Saikei to grow well and fertile. Saikei has a characteristic that is using living plants. This small garden idea is suitable for decorating your home.

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Saikei which is placed in an iron tray gives the impression of being sturdy and durable. Saikei contains live plants so it must provide routine and correct care.

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3. Conclusion

The Japanese art of bonsai and saikei is one of great mini landscape garden ideas for garden enthusiasts. With fewer rules and more affordable maintenance, it sure can be an option of therapeutic activity.

For those of you who want simple maintenance of Japanese garden landscape art, saikei is suitable for you. You can place the plant on the concrete pot for a classic and aesthetic look. All you need to do is just routinely cut the leaves to keep it neat.
If you want a garden lover, why you don’t try a saikei as part of Japanese garden art. This Japanese garden art has simple and cheap maintenance. It can be the best choice for your gardening activity. And most importantly this plan can be placed indoor for your home decoration.
This an artsy plant called saikei. This plant has characteristic simple and cheap maintenance. It’s suitable for those of you who just want to fill your free time.

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The Japanese art of Bonkei is very beautiful with ornaments that become its characteristics. It can make your mini garden landscape looks more interesting and alive.

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Place your bonkei on the clay tray to make more interesting. Complete it with ornament and moss to make more naturally.
You can make a great mini garden landscape by applying bonkei as a part of Japanese garden art. The characteristic of this garden art is completing with some ornament. A combination of living plant, stone, and ornaments can make the mini landscape garden looks naturally.

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