The Art of Kosamono

 The Art of Kusamono and Shitakusa are beautiful Horticultural hobbies. This Month's Bonsai Lovers workshop meeting topic was about learning Kusamono and Shitakusa art.

Kusamono art was developed by Japanese Bonsai artists a very long time ago. Actual meaning of Kusamono is grass. Bonsai artists are nature lovers, they used to style their Bonsai plants as natural as they grow in nature. When we observe a forest or wild trees growing in Nature we will notice some wild grasses growing underneath the big huge trees. Bonsai artists started collecting these grasses and placing them along with Bonsai plants in a separate pot for display. That brings a more Natural look to the Bonsai Tree which is displayed in the Toconoma corner or on a display stand. Kusamono can be made with a single plant or with a group of plants.

Kusamono is known as accent grasses / supporting grasses. This Kusamono Art came along with Bonsai a long way. In its own form, Kusamono Art has taken changes. Many times, Kusamono artists display their creations independently in unique pots, showing a separate identity Kusamono Art. Sometimes Kusamono displayed separately will be more than five feet. kusamono is another hobby of garden lovers so they can showcase their creations independently or along with Bonsai plants.

Shitakusa means under a tree, meaning grasses growing under a tree.. Shitakusa artists create their creations only to place them along with a bonsai tree. In making Shitakusa Art the grass selection, seasons, pot selection, and height of shitakusa all have to be kept in mind.

Selection : Grass selection is the shitakusa made to go along with the species of Bonsai, for example if Bonsai is an evergreen plant the selection of grass should be of that zone , if a Shitakusa to be placed with a tropical tree the grass of Shitakusa should be of tropical region. The grasslands growing under a huge tree depend on that region and climate. We are following Nature and observing its species, studying the nature of plants and grasslands growing around that surroundings to make a proper attractive shitakua. Kusamono and shitakusa can be made with annual or perennial plants. Some Kusamono creations can stay more than 8 years.

Seasons: Making and Placing Shitakusa also depends on seasons. Nature plays a big role in growing plants. Some plants will have flowers during summer and some plants develop beautiful colourful leaves during spring time. During the summer display, we can place grasses or small tiny plants that will come during that season. During the Springtime display of shitakusa with Bonsai plants should be of spring plants, that means the grasses growing in spring season will be displayed along with Bonsai.

Size and Orientation of Shitakusa: Size of Shitakusa along with the Bonsai plant is to be relatively small. And orientation of Shitakusa is position and placement should be proper to have balance between these two Plants, without dominating one another. Then Total Display will give a pleasing look in a Tokamono or in Bonsai exhibitions.

Maintenance: Regular Maintenance of Kusamono or Shitakusa is very important. Maintenance includes regular watering depending on the needs of the plant, removing dried leaves and checking for insects. Fertilizing with mild liquid fertilizer once in a month is the key for healthy growth of the plants.