Bonsai art is not only an elegant hobby or a simple gardening activity, but also a place where the artist uses time, patience and creativity to depict the majestic beauty of nature in a miniature space. The journey of turning rough tree stumps into masterpieces of high spiritual and economic value is full of inspiring stories.
From Nam Dien to Lao Cai to make a living
Mr. Nguyen Van Trien, 52 years old, currently living in Gia Phu commune, inherited the bonsai making profession from the countryside of Nam Dien, Nam Truc, Nam Dinh province (old), now Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province. Having been attached to the highlands of Lao Cai for more than 20 years, Mr. Trien is highly appreciated by many people for his diligence and experience in the bonsai world. Mr. Tran Hoang Nam in Cam Duong ward said: "Mr. Trien has experience and an aesthetic eye in shaping trees, especially with pine trees. The works of art completed by Mr. Trien are very beautiful and impressive."
Leaving his hometown with its traditional bonsai making profession to start a business in Lao Cai was not an easy decision. However, the lack of professional artisans in the new land opened up opportunities for Mr. Trien to develop his skills. With the experience gained from his hometown, Mr. Trien quickly became a specialist in shaping bonsai trees in Lao Cai.
Mr. Trien's work is not limited to the campus but constantly moving. He is invited to famous tourist destinations such as Sa Pa ward, Bac Ha commune, or remote lands such as Y Ty commune. Constantly moving, facing many different types of terrain and climate conditions of the tree has helped him become a skilled worker, understanding the characteristics of most popular bonsai trees.
Mr. Trien's salary ranges from 600,000 - 1,000,000 VND/day. This is not a small income in the highland area, but it is completely worthy of Mr. Trien's experience and effort. Mr. Trien shared: "The profession of bonsai bending requires many factors. First, it requires experience and skills that have been honed for decades. When looking at the tree, I have to determine the shape and position of the tree, and visualize the future of the work. That is "aesthetic eye", but accumulated on the foundation of professional experience. Second is dexterity and meticulousness. I use wire and force to guide the growth of the tree according to artistic ideas. Just a little mistake, the tree branch can break or the scar cannot be restored, reducing the value of the work. The last and most important factor is creativity. Although the work is not hard, it requires "pouring" the soul and thinking into it. Only when there is creativity, can I inspire the bonsai work, making the tree unique and bringing high economic value".
In addition to his job of bending trees for hire, Mr. Trien also maintains a small garden in Gia Phu commune to sell to customers who love trees. This is where he practices his bolder ideas, without being interfered with by customers' requests, completely free to create according to his own wishes.
Valuable works
Mr. Tran Van Thuc in Cam Duong ward is the one who brought bonsai works to the peak of economic and artistic value, especially through the elm tree. In Mr. Thuc's garden, elm occupies the dominant position. He is passionate about this tree because of its vigorous growth characteristics, high adaptability and especially the ancient, profound beauty of its rough bark over time.
It is known that over the years, Mr. Thuc has spent a lot of time and effort collecting elm trees from all over the country. He searches for old elm trees with unique shapes and forms. This collection process is not only a job but also a "discovery" and a search for "treasure". Currently, in Mr. Thuc's garden, there are dozens of elm trees of all sizes, being nurtured and cut into works of art that bring high economic value.
From rough tree embryos, Mr. Thuc applies the technique of cutting and jerking (making the branches and trunks become mature and contracted), carefully bending and taking special care, creating a perfect bonsai work. Each time he cuts and jerks, the tree "hurts" and needs time to recover, but it is those cuts that create the old and flexible lines of the work.
Mr. Thuc’s most prominent product is the elm tree with a straight shape hugging the rock. This is an elaborately crafted work, recreating the scene of an ancient tree rooted deep into the cliff, showing its tenacious vitality, challenging time and nature. This work has attracted the attention of bonsai collectors across the country and someone has offered up to nearly 1 billion VND. However, Mr. Thuc refused the transaction.
Explaining this decision, Mr. Thuc shared: "The stone-hugging elm tree is no longer a tree or a commodity, but a spiritual work, the result of many years of care and editing by me. The monetary value is only a part, but the spiritual value and time spent are priceless. To me, it is like a "brainchild".
The story of two bonsai artisans Nguyen Van Trien and Tran Van Thuc is a clear demonstration of the value of bonsai art, which not only brings spiritual value to the player but is also a profession that brings high economic value. From tree embryos worth several million VND, through many years of care and creation by the artisan, this product can reach a value of hundreds of millions, even billions of VND. Through the hands of the artisans, bonsai products contribute to the preservation of precious tree varieties, while creating a unique cultural feature in the lives of people in Lao Cai.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nghe-thuat-bonsai-nang-tam-gia-tri-cay-canh-post887395.html
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