Tong-style Bonsai

Tong-style Bonsai

　　　　The distinctive feature of Tong-style Bonsai lies in using small-leaved, pointed Podocarpus macrophyllus (commonly known as sparrow-tongue Podocarpus) as the material, trained into a “two curves and a half” structure. This means the main trunk is shaped into two curves and a half, with three main branches on each curve, and each branch is further styled into flat, cloud-like layers. The overall appearance resembles a lion—dignified and steady—like a three-dimensional painting, which is deeply loved by the people.

　　( Rugao )

　　The cultivation of flowers, plants, and potted bonsai in Rugao has a long history, dating back to the Song Dynasty. In People’s Park, there is a treasured ancient cypress bonsai from the Northern Song Dynasty named “Dragon Piercing Through Clouds,” created by the educator Hu Yuan, whose “antler” branches are prominently displayed, showing vigor and age. In Shuihui Garden, there is a floor-standing bonsai called “Ancient Cypress,” said to have been planted by Zeng Zhao, a scholar-official from the Southern Song Dynasty. Its bark already shows over eight fissure rings, yet the tree remains vigorous. Rugao’s flower-and-plant bonsai art flourished among the people during the Ming Dynasty. According to the 1750 “Rugao County Annals” from the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty: “In the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, Magistrate Li Zhongchun assessed the land, taught the people techniques, and instructed them in the methods of planting flowers and trees.” The present “Soaring Dragon and Leaping Tiger” velvet pine bonsai preserved in People’s Park is a fine work remaining from the Ming Dynasty.　

　　For hundreds of years, the art of Rugao’s flower-and-plant bonsai has been passed down, forming a uniquely styled “Rugao-style” bonsai, which is one of the seven major schools of bonsai in China. Rugao bonsai selects evergreen species such as small-leaved pine, cypress, elm, and boxwood as materials. The style mainly uses wiring with trimming as a supplement, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. The forms are often “two curves and a half,” and can be composed into shapes such as “cloud head,” “rain foot,” and “beauty’s waist,” presenting an elegant, unique, ancient, and unadorned aesthetic. Representative works such as “Sparrow-Tongue Podocarpus,” “Five-Treasure Green Pearl Azalea,” “Double-Petal June Snow,” and “White-Barked Boxwood” are all native treasures of Rugao County. A pair of giant needle pine bonsai displayed in front of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall are also products from our city.

　　Since the reform and opening up, the production of Rugao’s flower-and-plant bonsai has entered a new historical stage. Currently, the city has over 200 nurseries and gardening farms, more than 20 flower-and-plant towns and villages, over 10,000 specialized flower-and-plant households, nearly 20,000 acres of flower-and-plant cultivation area, and more than 2,000 varieties of plants. In the 1985 National Bonsai Competition, Rugao’s ancient cypress bonsai “Dragon Piercing Through Clouds” won first prize, while the “Two Curves and a Half” and “Vast Covering South Mountain” bonsai pieces won second prizes.