Master Cheng-Kung CHENG, the innovator of silk-fiber carving (Si-Diao) for bonsai, is the owner of 日友園 in Yunlin county, Taiwan.
One key issue for bonsai art is how to present Shari (relics) with nature feel; however, a man-made carving is inevitably left the residuals of cutting artifact behind. The Master, motivated by his enthusiasm to perfection, has climbed Jade Mountains several times, observing the aging process of Shari of the stem and branches. He proposed a novel Bonsai skill that can show an artificial Shari with silky texture just like natural forming, called SI-DIAO (means “silk-fiber carving” in Chinese). The Master also invented a set of tools to make this skill more feasible and applicable to different species in various situations. Si-Diao carving gives the essential freedom for a bonsai creator to show the nature beauty of living power as well as the imperishable spirit in one tree.
Due to his outstanding aesthetic perception and skills, his works have been awarded with medals in numerous exhibitions. Since 1993, he has been invited by Bonsai Associations in Philippines, Singapore, China, South Africa, Italy, the United States, Germany, Malaysia, and Indonesia to promote Bonsai art through lectures, seminars and demonstrations. Profession gardeners and participants of his lectures are attracted and encouraged by his magical art and skills. His Si-Diao is also admired as the finest art of Bonsai.
Mater Cheng summarized his experience, publishing two volumes of “Bonsai Shari Si-Diao: Using Carving Art to Creation of the Essentials of Nature Shari”. His publications lead others to step up the palace of Bonsai art.