Master Hu Leguo, have a good trip.

Have a nice trip, Master Hu Leguo!

Picture, text | Mountain Field

Only dedicated to Mr. Hu Leguo, Henan Nanyang bonsai colleagues thank you for your guidance and instruction! On July 13, 2014, Nanyang Bonsai Culture Village welcomed a distinguished guest-Master Hu Leguo. Accompanied by President Hu Dayu, Mr. Hu Leguo visited various bonsai gardens in the village and gave high evaluation and guidance to the development of Nanyang bonsai and Nanyang bonsai village. Thank you! Thank you! Sort out some photos in memory of Mr. Hu Leguo, your voice and appearance is still there!

This article is recommended by President Hu Dayu, selected from the Beauty of the Mountains, and the copyright belongs to the original creator.

Master Hu Leguo's works (Chisong, 120cm high)

Remembering Hu Leguo, a master of Chinese bonsai art

When we enter the Wenzhou Bonsai Garden in Jiangxinyu, Zhejiang Province, we will soon be attracted by the bonsai with different shapes, fresh and beautiful composition and suitable landscape. Especially those "high stem hanging branch type" pine bonsai, small see big, will pine tall and straight, vigorous show incisively and vividly.

The "high stem and hanging branch" pine tree shape is the strength of Hu Leguo, a master of Chinese bonsai art. Because of its poetic flavor, it is very popular among people in bonsai circles at home and abroad. Hu Leguo was born in Wenzhou in 1934. After graduating from high school in 1957, he worked as a farmer on a school-run farm, a worker in a factory and a substitute teacher in the school. In 1959, he was recommended to work as a temporary worker in the Wenzhou Garden Management Office, writing calligraphy and carving wax boards, and then went to the garden of Miaoguo Temple to help grow flowers and plants. And it was this job of planting flowers and growing grass that made him find the joy of life.

From then on, the young Hu Leguo felt at ease to work here. He learned to make bonsai under the guidance of Mr. Xiang Yanshu, a bonsai technician. At that time, Wenzhou bonsai, influenced by Su School, Yang School and Tong School, were stereotyped, only through the careful and exquisite technology to express and judge the quality of the works. Regular bonsai works are neither in line with the law of natural growth, nor poetic, let alone artistic conception.

"teacher Xiang also felt that the old production method was wrong and asked us to innovate." Hu Leguo inherited the innovative ideas of his mentor. He began to teach himself the knowledge of plants, soil, gardens, and so on. Taking advantage of the opportunity that the unit sent him to purchase flowers and trees abroad, he went to Shanghai, Suzhou, Guangzhou and other places to visit the older masters of bonsai circles, such as Yin Zimin, Zhou Lianjuan, Zhu Zi'an, Kong Taichu, Lu Xueming, and so on, and visited famous mountains and rivers to enjoy the natural beauty. Through study and travel, Hu Leguo gradually learned that bonsai art comes from nature. But how can it be higher than nature? He believes that in order to "learn and use", the word "live" is the key. If you can't live, it can only be regarded as the random creation of craftsmen. Therefore, he boldly based on the original tree posture of nature, breaking the rules for the natural style, such as the early work black pine "born out of the sky", blazing a new way for bonsai innovation. In terms of Panza modeling skills, he learned from the practice of Shanghai and changed brown wire into metal wire to make the branches stretch naturally.

After the death of Mr. Xiang Yanshu in 1965, Hu Leguo took over the bonsai garden of Miaoguo Temple and began to boldly transform the old works in accordance with the new method. Even during the period when bonsai was accused of "banishing assets to repair black goods" and "losing the spirit of playthings", Hu Leguo was still preoccupied with creating bonsai works and indulged in them.

The time has finally come to review the achievements! from September 11 to October 24, 1979, the Garden and Greening Bureau of the State Administration of Urban Construction hosted the first national "bonsai art exhibition" in Beihai Park, Beijing. At the exhibition, as soon as Hu Leguo's works were exhibited, they immediately aroused strong repercussions, including "Weathered" (Yuanbai) and "Love of Life and death" (Cuibai). Two works were also selected by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications as special stamp patterns to be published. Even today, 31 years later, when we read the Bonsai Art Exhibition selected and edited by the Bonsai Art Exhibition Office, we are still amazed at Hu Leguo's works at that time, such as "aspiration not to be old" (five-needle pine), "tranquil" (Luo Hansong), "Gao Zhan" (Luo Han Song), "wonderful interest" (black pine), and so on. It can be said to burn its brilliance in many bonsai works, quite new.

Speaking of the "bonsai art exhibition," Hu Leguo was very excited: "this exhibition touched me so much that for the first time I got a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in the bonsai world across the country, got to know my own level, and defined the objects and goals of my study in the future."

After the bonsai art exhibition closed, Hu Leguo returned to Wenzhou from Beijing to study how, like some of the excellent works in the exhibition, we can not only maintain the local traditional art style, but also make some innovation. After years of exploration and improvement, Hu Leguo has successfully created a large number of excellent five-needle pine bonsai works known to the bonsai circles, such as "to Tianya", "facing the Wind", "Iron Bone Lingyun", "Lanke Mountain", "Tao Sound still" and "Xin Tianyou". At the same time, he also gradually improved the production skills and artistic style of other types of bonsai. For example, in the bonsai of cypress trees, he began to use techniques such as Shili stem and divine branches to strengthen the twisting and clumsy vitality of the trunk of his works, and combined with the luxuriant branches of the tree crown to express the atmosphere of the ancient cypress; the modeling of miscellaneous wood bonsai advocated the combination of Wenzhou traditional techniques and the "cutting and storing branches" of Lingnan bonsai, so that the branch stretching was more in line with the basic tree appearance of miscellaneous trees and the individual characteristics of branches. Hu Leguo successively created works such as Gao Feng Li (Yuanbai), righteousness of Heaven and Earth (Yuanbai), Fangfeng Earth (Yuanbai), Young ambition (Zhenbai), Duhao poor and remote (Guazi Huang Yang), Qingqu (Huang Yang), Qiu Rong early drunkenness (Acer), Chaoxia (Tea Plum), Zhang Lantern (pomegranate) and so on. These bonsai works have won 9 gold medals in previous bonsai exhibitions in China, bonsai exhibitions in China Flower Expo, and the Fifth World Flower Expo held in Italy in 1986.

From 1979 to 1994, Hu Leguo's bonsai works had various forms of expression, fresh and beautiful composition, suitable landscape movement, strong sense of the times and strong book atmosphere, which had a positive impact on the formation of contemporary Zhejiang bonsai style. Under his leadership, Wenzhou bonsai has been widely praised and recognized by the bonsai community all over the country, forming a pattern of "Zhejiang bonsai centered on Hangzhou and Wenzhou". Wenzhou bonsai has entered the ranks of the strong in the country.

In 1994, Hu Leguo retired from Wenzhou Bonsai Garden, which he co-founded. After retiring, he opened up a 120-square-meter bonsai garden on the roof and continued to devote himself to bonsai art, striving for a new breakthrough and development.

Through the study of a large number of ancient books and paintings, Hu Leguo found that compared with modern pine bonsai works, ancient pine bonsai works have a certain degree of original natural beauty and more literati flavor and bookish style. He believes that the reason for this situation is that our bonsai works have gradually formed some patterns or rules due to the influence of long-term creative activities, coupled with the influence of some foreign models and rules in recent years. Bonsai creation deviates from the modeling principle of "Wan Zi Tian Kai" originally advocated. Hu Leguo believes that the ancient bonsai is worth learning from us modern bonsai people. He summed up the pine bonsai shape of "high stem and hanging branches" from the ancient painting.

On the basis of this theory, over the past decade, Hu Leguo has created a large number of high-stem and drooping pine bonsai works, such as "raising the head beyond the sky" (five-needle pine), "mountain residence map" (five-needle pine), "stepping song line" (Huangshan pine), "empty valley hidden dragon" (Huangshan pine) and so on.

As soon as Hu Leguo advocated the concept of "high-ranking cadres and hanging branches", it was immediately pursued by people in bonsai circles at home and abroad. Many people believe that, compared with the sturdy style of Japanese pine bonsai, the elegant and unrestrained, wide opening and opening of "high stem and hanging branches" is the most Chinese. It is rooted in Chinese culture, has the characteristics of the Chinese nation, and can best reflect the style and characteristics of Chinese pine bonsai.

He also spared no effort in personnel training. So far, more than 50 outstanding professionals such as Liu Rongsen, Jin Yulin, Ren Xiaoming, Chen Xinshen and Wang Haiping have been trained for the domestic bonsai world. It can be said that he witnessed and promoted the development of bonsai in contemporary China.

In view of Hu Leguo's outstanding contribution to Chinese bonsai, in 2001, the Department of Urban Construction of the Ministry of Construction and the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture jointly awarded him the title of "Master of Chinese Bonsai Art". In 2011, the Urban Construction Department of the Ministry of Housing and Construction and the Chinese Landscape Architecture Society jointly awarded him the "Bonsai Art Lifetime Achievement Award".

"Bonsai is not only a kind of life sustenance after my retirement, but also an important part of my life." Hu Leguo said that he will continue to explore bonsai art.

The man is gone, and his demeanor lasts forever.

With this article, I would like to mourn the honorable teacher Hu Leguo.

Original author | Xu Hao (Chinese bonsai master)

This article was originally created by teacher Xu Hao and first published "Chinese Bonsai to appreciate Stone". The copyright belongs to the original author.

The acquaintance of Mr. Hu Leguo begins with the knowledge of his works.

In the early 1980s, I happened to see several bonsai photos published in Zhejiang Daily, including teacher Hu's five-needle pine work "welcoming guests". Later, from the first set of bonsai stamps issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, I saw teacher Hu's round cypress work "weather-beaten" and Cuibai's work "Love of Life and death". Its fresh and elegant, beautiful and elegant shape surprised me, so I kept it in mind and reviewed it from time to time. I still remember it. These works of his early years, even if examined from today's point of view, are still burning. His works contain fresh and meaningful scrolls, which make people often look at them.

Master Hu Leguo's work "A panoramic view of the surrounding short mountains" (five-needle pine, high 92cm)

The first time I met Mr. Hu was in 1986. He came to Huzhou to select bonsai works from Zhejiang Province to participate in the Fifth International Horticultural Flower Expo in Italy. After his careful selection, one of my pearl Huangyang bonsai was among the five selected works, which was undoubtedly a great encouragement to a young man in his early twenties at that time.

Master Hu Leguo's work "Ling Han Cui is still greener and thicker" (Black Pine)

Later, due to the reason of working full-time in bonsai, the contact with teacher Hu gradually increased, and he would be invited to guide every bonsai activity. Mr. Hu is affable and willing to teach, as long as he has any questions, he will give careful guidance, see your progress, he will give praise and encouragement, so that you are full of confidence and hope.

Master Hu Leguo's work "No Love" (Huang Shansong)

Teacher Hu Leguo devoted all his life to the bonsai work and his works. He drew rich nutrition from the traditional culture, based on the essentials of the traditional bonsai theory, and combined with the spirit of the times to constantly explore and innovate. Therefore, his bonsai works have various forms of expression, fresh and refined composition, magnificent image, full of strong sense of the times and strong bookish atmosphere. It has had a positive impact on the development and improvement of contemporary Chinese bonsai, and it is also one of the main founders and representatives of contemporary Zhejiang bonsai style.

Master Hu Leguo's work "every Spring comes luxuriant Autumn comes withered Yellow" (juniper cypress, stone-attached, 40 cm high)

Master Hu Leguo's work "the hidden dragon in the valley" (Huang Shansong)

His early works are rigorous, steady, dignified and elegant. His representative work, "to the end of the World," is planted together with two poles, with a clear primary and secondary arrangement, with extremely low branches on the left, layers of upward, dense, stretched branches, lively and smooth lines, and no branch on the right side of the tree trunk, only to the top of the branch. The double trunks are interspersed with branches to make the double trunks naturally natural. The author grasps the essential beauty of the pine tree and makes the work show the style of Qinggang Lingyun and the vast and vast atmosphere of Gao Kuang.

Master Hu Leguo's work to the end of the World (five Needles Pine)

Teacher Hu Leguo still persisted in the research and creation of bonsai after retirement. he maintained and created bonsai on his roof balcony, gradually to hundreds of pots, and in his octogenarian years, he still ploughed constantly, pursuing a more free and easy means of expression. he speculated on the creative methods of pine trees from traditional painting, combined with the performance of contemporary pine bonsai, advocated and summarized the method of hanging branches of pine bonsai, which made pine bonsai more national and expressive.

Huang Shansong's work "stepping Song Xing" is his representative work in his later years, with its oblique double trunks, ancient tree trunks, casual drooping branches, freehand brushwork and natural form construction, which makes the ancient meaning clear and rhyme come in the face, which makes people feel as cool as Han Mo.

Master Hu Leguo's work "stepping Song Walk" (Huang Shansong)

Teacher Hu Leguo once said, "I only do one thing in my life, and that is to make bonsai." In these words, there is both emotion and pride. He once dreamed of becoming a singer. His first job was as a music substitute teacher. He also published music works in "Shanghai Radio Song selection". Unfortunately, time failed to make his dream come true. I have also occasionally heard his beautiful, high-pitched tenor singing during bonsai activities.

In 1959, an accidental opportunity made him have an inextricable bond with bonsai. It has been a long way for more than half a century, and he has always pursued and worked hard. With his efforts, he has made great achievements, won many awards and honors, and made outstanding contributions to the development and progress of Chinese bonsai.

In 1994, he was awarded the title of "Master of Chinese Bonsai Art" by the Chinese Bonsai artists Association. In 2001, the Department of Urban Construction of the Ministry of Construction and the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture jointly awarded him the title of "Master of Chinese Bonsai Art". In 2011, the Department of Urban Construction of the Ministry of Housing and the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture jointly awarded him the "Lifetime Achievement Award of Bonsai Art".

He is one of the founders of the China Bonsai artists Association and the successive vice president of the China Bonsai artists Association. He should be proud that the bonsai realized his dream and showed the value of his life. The bonsai world should also be proud, because with him, Chinese bonsai is even more dazzling.

Mr. Hu Leguo is not only diligent in bonsai creation, but also collects practical theory into a number of monographs, teaching and learning for younger generations, and is enthusiastic about the cultivation of bonsai talents. He has always been willing to participate in various forms of bonsai teaching demonstration activities, even in his lifetime, can always see his figure in bonsai activities, so students all over the world, he is known as "the old pine of bonsai world"!

In my bonsai life, Mr. Hu Leguo is undoubtedly my respected teacher. His early work, "making and appreciating five-needle pine bonsai", is something I often read when I was young. His teachings often ring in my ears, and his works have always influenced my growth. During the Spring Festival this year, I received another message from Mr. Hu: "Happy New year, Xu Hao!" I'm glad you've done a good job in the shape of your pine tree! " The earnest feelings are beyond words.

In the early morning of August 11, 2018, when the sun rose, Mr. Hu Leguo left facing the rising sun. He left us forever, leaving the bonsai that he accompanied day and night. May Mr. Hu Leguo have a good journey! I hope there are bonsai in heaven!

Looking up, there is one more shining star in the sky. The man is gone, and his demeanor lasts forever!

All members of the Chinese Bonsai artists Association express their deep condolences for the departure of Master Hu Leguo! Your departure is a huge loss to the cause of bonsai art in China and even in the world. Although the master is gone, the spirit lasts forever. Our future generations of bonsai will follow in your footsteps and continue the bonsai art career for which you have devoted your whole life!

Wonderful playback:

Welcome to Chinese bonsai!

Bonsai exhibition hall that can be enjoyed at any time

Carry forward bonsai culture and exchange bonsai skills!

Enjoy bonsai art and share a happy life!