Bonsai the miniature nature

What is BONSASI

The word “盆栽bonsai” is made of “盆bon” and “栽sai”. Bon means a tray or a pot. “sai” means cultivation. Bonsai is cultivation and appreciation of one especially pine tree growing on a tray or in a pot. It is a traditional Japanese art. It started in Heian period. The purpose is making a miniature landscape trimming the nature. Therefore, the object of the appreciation is not only the tree but also the moss, sand, and stones. Of course, the main object is the tree. The figure of the branch and the leaf, the feeling of the stem, the roof spreading, the pot, and the whole shape of bonsai, they fascinates the viewer.
It needs long period and achieved technique to make good works. Some masterpieces are more than 300 years old.

What the different between bonsai and usual planting

The biggest different is growing naturally or artificially. In usual planting, flowers and trees are grown naturally. However, in bonsai, the shape of trees are corrected with cutting, bending, replanting and scratch. A bonsai artist images the final shape and grows to correct the root, stem and leaves with artificial way.

Bonsai the past and the present

Bonsai started in Heian period, then spread in Kamakura period.
From Edo period to the Meiji era, bonsai was thought as fashionable hobby.
Bonsai is perhaps expressed as a typical hobby of the old man in Japan. In some Japanese animation, some severe old man treat his bonsai trees. And the hobby needs long time to grow the trees. Most bonsai growers are retired men. Therefore, most Japanese think someone whose hobby is bonsai is an old man. In fact, there are few young people who like bonsai.
In 1980s, bonsai was introduced to the foreign countries. The beauty of bonsai fascinated especially western people. In 1989, the first world bonsai convention was held. After that, every four years, the world bonsai conventions have been held.
In those days, a lot of bonsai artists come learning more about bonsai.