Tag Archives: Feng Shui

How to Decorate With Japanese Bonsai

Posted on by

Bonsai is a Japanese word that means “container planted.” It is the art of aesthetic miniaturization. Like Feng Shui, the art of Bonsai originated in China where it was called penjing. In Western culture, the word “bonsai” is used as an umbrella term to describe most forms of bonsai.

In Japan, bonsai began thousands of years ago when growing miniature azalea and maple trees was a pastime of the wealthy. The Japanese bonsai aesthetic is centered on the principle of “heaven and earth in one container.” A bonsai is also not a true work of art unless it has been trained to grown in a way that symbolizes the virtues of truth, essence and beauty. Furthermore Japanese bonsai must look natural and as if human hands have not touched it.

Plants that are traditionally used for bonsai include pine, maple, elm, flowering apricot, Japanese wisteria, juniper, flowering cherry, azalea and larch. The plants are grown outdoors and put on display during special occasions to evoke the spiritual blessings from the forces of nature that govern the current season.

There are many different styles of bonsai cultivation –

A miniaturized tree with a straight, upright tapering trunk and the body of the foliage is always located directly over the roots, characterizes the formal style.

Slanted bonsai features a trunk that emerges from the soil at an angle.
Cascade style bonsai are modeled after trees that grow over water or on the sides of mountains and cascade over the side of the pot.
Raft style bonsai imitates a natural phenomenon that occurs when a tree that has been toppled (typically due to erosion or another natural force) forms new trunks. The roots are exposed. These all give the illusion of a group of trees, but are actually the branches of a tree planted on its side.

The literati bonsai style is characterized by an emphasis on the bare trunk line, with branches reduced to a minimum, typically placed higher up on a long, contorted trunk.

The forest bonsai style comprises a number of trees (typically an odd number if you want to be truly Japanese) planted together in a pot. The trees are usually the same species, but a variety of heights are employed to add visual interest and to reflect the age differences encountered in mature forests.

Remember that to be truly Japanese, bonsai trees should be planted in odd numbers and you should also not be afraid of the beauty of bare branches.

Tattoo Ideas for Furniture and Decor

Posted on by

Are you looking for tattoo ideas? Tattooing is almost as old as mankind so there is no shortage of ideas. Ed Hardy, the famous tattooist now has his designs on everything.

Here is a brief resource of tattoo ideas that might help you decide what kind of mark you would like to leave on your furniture.

Animals –Pictures of animals were engraved on the flesh as it was believed that the person that bore the animal’s picture would also adopt that animal’s strengths. Birds, butterflies, bugs and insects are also popular tattoo ideas.

Biker – Biker tattoos are motorcycle fetish tattoos and many of them feature sex and death type motifs along with machine parts such as flaming exhaust pipes or complicated engines.

Biomechanical – Biomechanical tattoo ideas are the ones that look like the space monster in the movie “Alien” and feature a blend of technology with human or animal organs.

Cartoons – Tattoo ideas based on animated characters or scenes are more popular then ever thanks to the popularity of Japanese anime.

Celtic Designs – Celtic tattoos have a strong style that is defined by solid blocks of color. They are black or blue and are based on the Celtic cross or the Celtic Knot.

Celestial Motifs – If you are into astrology then consider getting a tattoo based on the sun, moon or the stars

Prison Tattoos – Prison tattoos are very unique. Classics such as the dagger through he heart that says mom or the skull that is decorated with roses are very much in vogue.
Eastern Symbols – Given the popularity of Yoga, Feng Shui and other Asian traditions eastern symbols such as the OM or I CHING symbol have become more popular than ever.

Egyptian – The Egyptian black cat Bast or the Egyptian symbol called the Ankh are ancient yet timeless tattoo ideas.

Fairies, Pixie and Nymphs – If you are pagan or into magic these airy creatures of the forest make beautiful little designer tattoos.

Fantasy – Characters from fantasy animations or video games also make great tattoo ideas. So do characters from children’s storybooks like Babar or The Grinch.

Flowers – A tattooed flower is one of the oldest and most classic of tattoo ideas. Perhaps the most popular flower tattoo is a rose.

Mermaids – Mermaids are in a class of tattoo ideas all by themselves. They were a favorite of sailors who believed that the mermaid could save them from drowning.

Pin Up Girls- Some of the nicest tattoos ever drawn were based on famous pin up girls such as Mitzi Gaynor or Marilyn Monroe

Symbols of Faith – Religious symbols, particularly Christian ones such as a cross or Christ on the cross have always been worn on the flesh as symbols of one’s devotion to religion.

As you can see there is now shortage in life of tattoo ideas!