Taizhou, the birthplace of the Yang-school bonsai style, in East China's Jiangsu province, has been revered for its unique "one inch, three bends" technique, earning it a place among China's five major bonsai schools.
Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2008, the Yang-school bonsai is celebrated for its meticulous craftsmanship, in which each branch is intricately shaped from palm fiber to create cloud-like formations.
The branch is intricately shaped using palm fiber. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
The art of Yang-school bonsai dates back centuries. Known for its distinct features — layered, orderly, and serene — the style resembles calligraphy and cloud formations. The technique emphasizes ancient aesthetics, with old trunks and flat, mirror-like foliage as prized elements.
Cao Jide, a national ICH inheritor, has dedicated over 40 years to this craft. His unique techniques guide the precise shaping of branches, aligning with natural growth and Eastern aesthetics.
Cao Jide, an inheritor of the Yang-school bonsai in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Cao actively promotes bonsai techniques through community classes and public events, aiming to pass his knowledge to the next generation. Since 2007, he has mentored graduates in the art of bonsai to ensure this ancient tradition thrives.
Today, Taizhou's Yang-school bonsai has gained national acclaim, transforming from a niche hobby to a celebrated art form. "We must preserve traditional skills while embracing new ideas to rejuvenate Yang-school bonsai in modern times," said Cao.
Yang-school bonsais. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]