| Miniature trees are originally rooted in the mountains | | | | the officials of the Japanese government, who often |
| of China, where only a specific species of plants and | | | | come to China at the height of the Tang Dynasty |
| trees grow. Because of its hostile weather conditions, | | | | and have brought the art back home. During the |
| the trees were often stunted and contorted. The | | | | Kamakura period, while Zen Buddhism was introduced |
| strong mountain winds also left these trees twisted | | | | in Japan, these Zen masters also introduced the |
| in ice and the cold. Essentially, it is nature that has | | | | hobby of tree potting to its people. As a result, it |
| rendered the inspiration for the art of potting trees | | | | became widely popular among the wealthy class |
| as students of the art do their best to mimic what | | | | (daimyos or feudal lords), the merchants and even |
| nature has created. By "training" trees through | | | | the Samurais. In addition to this, daimyos even |
| specialized means of pruning and shaping them to a | | | | sought pottery masters on their employ, to make |
| desired height and structure, these students of the | | | | one of kind pots for their miniature plants. |
| art were able to recreate the sample nature has | | | | Initially popular among the Japanese priests, the ruling |
| provided. | | | | class and those on the upper hierarchy, Bonsai |
| Bonsai, a Japanese term for "miniature potted trees", | | | | eventually reached popularity with the middle class. |
| actually originated from the Chinese. Called "pensai" in | | | | As Japanese culture and their way of living dictates |
| China, these miniature trees first appeared in | | | | it, where the Japanese have always believed in |
| artworks and poems in this Asian country in 200 B.C. | | | | keeping a harmonious relationship with their |
| Early own, the mini-tree, or rather, the work of art, | | | | surroundings as beneficial, miniature gardening became |
| has already become a symbol of harmony and | | | | one of Japan's favorite pastimes. The fact that these |
| tranquility. Chinese Monks and the nobles or upper | | | | potted trees took up just a small space inside the |
| class, who appreciated the beauty and significance of | | | | house was also compatible with how the Japanese |
| plants and trees or nature in general, cultivated | | | | lived. It was during these times too, that the word |
| mini-landscapes of mountains, rivers and little tree | | | | "bonsai" was coined. |
| houses placed on big plates. Sometime in the 15th or | | | | Today, the art of Bonsai is still practiced in China. It is |
| 16th century, this artistic hobby grew among the | | | | characteristically different from the Japanese versions |
| people of Southeast China. Many of them have | | | | as they are somewhat bigger than the popular |
| become master designers and experts of the art of | | | | Japanese Bonsai. And while thinking of potted trees, |
| tree potting. What was first known as a hobby for | | | | one easily attributes this to Japan, the hobby/art |
| Chinese artists, monks and nobles in those days | | | | form appeals not only to the people of the East |
| became a significant part of modern day Japanese | | | | today, but students and enthusiasts all over the |
| tradition. | | | | world have also become devotees to the art of tree |
| How this came to Japan was made possible through | | | | potting. |