A Japanese friend once told me a modern-day bonsai kōan. Kōan
is the Japanese word for a paradoxical
anecdote or a riddle used by Zen masters to make their disciples understand something.
So, here it is.
Once upon
a time, during Japan’s economic boom, there was a corporation. Back in those
days, companies supported employees’ recreational activities and this
particular one sponsored an in-house bonsai club. The company hired a bonsai
master to instruct the club members and his bonsai were displayed in the headquarters
foyer. Every day, hundreds of people passed by the bonsai display, but hardly
anyone took notice of it.
All good
things come to an end and with the onset of economic depression the company
began to cut costs. It gave the boot to the bonsai master, but asked the club
to continue displaying bonsai in the foyer. The employees happily started
showcasing their own work and suddenly everyone began noticing and talking
about the bonsai in the foyer.
Why do
you think trees created by the bonsai master were not obvious, while bonsai
trees by amateurs were conspicuous?
1 comment:
I will take a stab at it. Mainly from what I see in online boards where people post bonsai.
Masterworks are rarely commented on, though appreciated (many likes, views).
Really beginner stick in pots get a handful comments from the regulars, trying to set the beginner on the path to learning.
Beginner-to-intermediate work that is good gets the most comments and discussion around it.
My theory is that flawed or imperfect work gives people courage to talk about it, give questions or feedback. It makes the craft approachable, maybe can even tempt the viewer to say "I could make that".
Whereas the masterworks are so beyond understanding, people glance at them but find no avenue to engage further.
(unless, you know, there's a more pragmatic aspect where the employees cajoled people into showing their work :) )
Thank you for posting this.
Mircea
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