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More than an accent

December 15, 2015 by Jonas Dupuich

Referring to the companion pieces at fine exhibits as “accents” doesn’t always do them justice. Using the Japanese “kusamono” isn’t much better as the term translates directly to “grass-” or “weed-thing.”

Accents can provide color, add interest to displays and indicate the season. They can also be compelling artistic creations on their own. Here are a handful of the wonderful accents on display at this year’s Taikan-ten.

Chojubai on a stone

Selaginella and grass

Chojubai on a stone

Fern – Pyrrosia sp.

Selaginella and fern – Pyrrosia lingua var. ogon nishiki

Fern – Davalia sp.

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Filed Under: Exhibits Tagged With: Accents, Chojubai, Japan

Previous Post: « The heart of Japan – Keiji Tanaka display at 35th Taikan-ten
Next Post: More shitakusa from Taikan-ten »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sage Smith says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:12 am

    Wonderful kusamono!!! Thanks for sharing

  2. Zach says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:43 am

    Do you know what type of ferns are in the fourth and fifth photos?

  3. Jonas Dupuich says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Hi Zach – the fifth, and likely the fourth, are Pyrrosia. I’ve filled in what I can above.

  4. japanesepots says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:46 am

    Shitakusa?

  5. vonsgardens says

    December 15, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Wow!

  6. Bruce says

    December 15, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    Is there word that works for you?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      December 15, 2015 at 5:03 pm

      Good question – I have yet to find a better term than accent. I use the term companion on occasion but typically prefer accent.

      • japanesepots says

        December 16, 2015 at 9:12 am

        Jonas, when used as an “accent” in a display with a bonsai, isn’t the proper term in Japan “Shitakusa”?
        That’s the one I always preferred.
        Shitakusa-“Undergrass” or “Under growth”

      • Jonas Dupuich says

        December 16, 2015 at 1:21 pm

        That’s exactly right, shitakusa when displayed with bonsai – the case here – and kusamono when displayed on their own. Then there’s kokedama, the “moss balls,” which are sometimes similar. Thanks for the tip!

  7. Zach says

    December 15, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks Jonas! I’ll be on the lookout for some of those.

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