Yunhua, Hu: PENJING: The Chinese Art of Miniature Gardens

[Jim Lewis]

Anybody have comments on the "worthwhileness" of this book?

Jim Lewis - jkl...@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - It's never
enough to simply be human -- we must be humane.

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[David J. Bockman]

With all due respect to the author, I found it to be the Chinese equivalent
of Tatsuo Ishimoto's work. }:o)

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email: d...@bunabayashi.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Lewis <jkl...@NETTALLY.COM>
To: <BON...@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2000 6:50 PM
Subject: Yunhua, Hu: PENJING: The Chinese Art of Miniature Gardens

> Anybody have comments on the "worthwhileness" of this book?

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[Greenman]

Not this one, but I do have "Chinese Penjing; Miniature Trees and
Landscapes" by the same author. If it is as good as this one, I would get
it.

This is one of two or three books I keep going back to time after time...
page after page of very inspiring trees. The first 120 pages are all
penjing, mostly single trees but also some really cool landscape style, both
with trees and other plants and without (even one made from charcoal carved
to look like rock, rather than stone.) Pages 124-171 are the usual
historical and cultural notes but form a Chinese perspective. There is an
interesting discussion of the different schools of styles and historical
context for them. I don't know enough about the history to know how accurate
it is, but it seems very well put together to me. Except for the explanation
of the clip and grow method and a nice explanation of the basics behind the
rock landscape penjing, most of the rest of the cultural notes really is
about the same as my other Bonsai books. But the first 121 pages of trees
are IMHO worth the cost of the book on their own.

And BTW, the end papers show a display of penjing on gorgeous table high
carved stands in a room where it looks for all the world like you can walk
in and amoung and around most of the trees :)

Brett Johnson
Green Man Gardens
bnbj...@home.com

> Anybody have comments on the "worthwhileness" of this book?
>

> Jim Lewis - jkl...@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - It's never
> enough to simply be human -- we must be humane.
>

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[Alan Walker]

Jim: This is Mr. Hu's first book, published in 1982, and it is primarily notable
for introducing the penjing of mainland China to the English speaking world. It is
not the one I'd recommend if you are only going to have one book on the topic. I
would, instead, recommend Brook Zhao's masterpiece, Penjing: Worlds of Wonderment.
It is without peer.
Mr. Hu (not Dr. Who) has written two other books, Chinese Penjing: Miniature
Trees & Landscapes (ISBN 0-88192-083-5) in 1987 and The Art of Chinese Miniature
Landscape (ISBN 0-8351-2233-6 and ISBN 7-119-00489-1 I don't know why it has two
ISBNs.) in 1989. Of the three, I like the 1987 book best. It has better
photography and more useful text. The 1989 book would be my second choice.
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA

> Anybody have comments on the "worthwhileness" of this book?
> Jim Lewis - jkl...@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL

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[Jim Lewis]

> (I don't know why it has two ISBNs.)

Two ISBNs means there was a paperback edition also.

And thanks all, for the comments. I'm looking for a penjing
book, but I'll probably give this one a pass.

Jim Lewis - jkl...@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - It's never
enough to simply be human -- we must be humane.

********************************************************************************

[Beckenbach, Jay]

I have this book and its companion, Chinese Penjing, Miniature Trees and
Landscapes by Mr. Yunhua. From memory, both are "garden variety" books with
main interest (to me) in that they are penjing rather than bonsai. Don't
pay the big bucks, but it should be an interesting addition to your book
collection - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Gainesville, FL - Zone 8b

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Lewis [mailto:jkl...@NETTALLY.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2000 6:50 PM
Subject: Yunhua, Hu: PENJING: The Chinese Art of Miniature Gardens

Anybody have comments on the "worthwhileness" of this book?

Jim Lewis - jkl...@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - It's never

[Marty Haber]

i agree with you concerning Mr. Zhou's book. It is outstanding; but
this is not to say that Mr. Hu's book is any the less valuable. I think
Jim should spring for both.
BTW I won one of Mr. Zhou's trees in a raffle several years ago and send
him annual reporrts on its progress. i always get a courteous reply,
but never any advice. Now there's a man of tact!

Marty Haber
Zone 6B, or thereabouts