Bonsai Guide – Bonsai Trees

The history of Bonsai is an intermingling of different cultures. Bonsai appeared first time in China over a thousand years ago. It was initially known as “pun-sai”. Pun-sai was the practice of growing specimen of single trees on pots. The earliest specimens of “pun-sai” looked like animals. They formed the figure of dragons and birds. Some of them also had animal like trunks. These specimens were very expensive.

The Chinese elite purchased these plants in exchange of a lot of money. We also find plants shaped like the image of fiery dragons and serpents that are coiled up in these “pun-sai” specimens. Chinese heritage has always had a rich myth regarding dragons and serpents. We therefore find the influence of these mythical creatures on these “pun-sai” plants.

When Japan adopted Chinese culture, it also took up “bonsai” imagery. The history of bonsai took a unique turn when it was introduced in Japan at the time of the Kamakura period which lasted between 1185 and 1333 A.D. Bonsai was brought in to Japan by the preachers of Zen Buddhism which at that time was widely spreading across Asia.

In Japan, the art of Bonsai was polished. Bonsai became a symbol of the elite though it was originally brought in by the monks. Bonsai represented harmony between man’s soul and nature to the Japanese people. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Bonsai reached greater heights in Japan. Japanese arts were at their prime during this time.

A main event took place in the history of bonsai when Japanese philosophy was introduced into these specimens. This philosophy led to the removal of all the parts except the major parts of the plant’s body. By this bonsai came close to the Japanese public.

Cultural elements like rocks and accent plants were introduced in bonsai plants. Small buildings and people were also introduced in bonsai specimens. This was known as the art of bon-kei. The art of reproducing miniature landscapes in nature is called sai-kei.

Towards the mid-nineteenth century, Japan opened its doors to the world. Bonsai became popular. The Paris World Exhibition in 1900 opened the world’s eyes to small trees in ceramic containers that competed with tall, full grown trees. Further exhibitions in London and Vienna popularized bonsai further.

Bonsai is a symbol of Japan’s culture and ideals. Even today, the New Year is incomplete unless the “tokonama”-the place where the Japanese display their gifts and possessions is filled with a bonsai of a plum or apricot tree.

Japanese tend to use native species like maple, azalea and pine for their bonsai. In other parts of the world, however, people are more open to experimentation. The history of bonsai thus is one interesting phenomenon that though began in the East has now spread across the world.