Mr. Nhan's pot accompanies his artistic bonsai creations.

Meticulous

Mr. Nhan's journey into the craft of making bonsai pots stemmed from the meticulousness of a true bonsai enthusiast. He recounted: "Having been passionate about bonsai for nearly 20 years, I understand the importance of a pot to those who love this art form. Sometimes, even with a perfect bonsai tree, you can't find a suitable pot. That's why I started researching and experimenting to make these pots myself."

To create an artistic handcrafted pot, Mr. Nhan has to go through many steps. “First, I need to know the shape, style, or type of bonsai tree that will be planted in the pot, then I make it according to the customer's needs, or I will come up with my own ideas to advise on the shape of the pot. After that come the rough stages such as mixing materials, making molds, and shaping. Finally, there is the process of sanding the pot and applying color,” Mr. Nhan explained.

Unlike mass-produced pots, Mr. Nhan's pots are entirely handcrafted. With his skillful hands, blocks of cement, sand, and gravel are transformed into diverse shapes, ranging from common round, square, and rectangular forms to artistic shapes like clouds and graceful ovals. Beyond shape, his pots also come in a variety of sizes. Some are only slightly larger than a fist, ideal for miniature bonsai. Others are up to 3 meters long, catering to the needs of giant bonsai creations.

Mr. Nhan explained: "For me, whether large or small, regardless of shape, bonsai pots are all platforms that help elevate the beauty of the bonsai tree. Therefore, the more minimalist the pot, the more the bonsai tree or rock can showcase its beauty and stand out."

Diverse designs

Instead of elaborate patterns, Mr. Nhan's pots focus on lines, shapes, and meticulous attention to detail in every stroke. Along with minimalist shapes and patterns, the pot surfaces are also subtly smoothed and feature neutral colors such as gray, beige, black, charcoal, and cream... This allows the viewer's eye to focus entirely on the form and style of the bonsai tree.

Thanks to these unique qualities, word spread, and Mr. Nhan's bonsai pots, made for himself, became popular among bonsai enthusiasts in Hue and neighboring provinces. Interestingly, many award-winning bonsai works at spring flower festivals or national bonsai competitions have been displayed in the very pots cast by Mr. Nhan.

Mr. Nguyen Van Loc, a bonsai enthusiast with 25 years of experience in Thuan Hoa ward, said: “Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan's pots are both exquisite and humble, highlighting the beauty and artistry of the bonsai trees, thereby enhancing the beauty of the trees and miniature landscapes. In addition, the pots are durable and have excellent moisture retention and drainage capabilities, helping the trees grow steadily. In recent years, all of my award-winning bonsai creations have featured pots made by Mr. Nhan.”

Currently, depending on size and complexity, the price of handcrafted bonsai pots produced by Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan varies widely, from 60,000 VND to 6 million VND per piece. Regardless of the price, durability and beauty are always his top priorities. Each year, he makes hundreds of pots, providing both a stable income and fulfilling his passion for creativity. "For me, the joy is multiplied when I see my creations accompanying artistic bonsai works. I hope these pots will contribute to the development of the beauty of bonsai cultivation in the ancient capital," Mr. Nhan said.

Text and photos: MAI HUẾ

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/ky-cong-nghe-duc-chau-bonsai-164242.html