Japanese Bonsai
An Introduction
The word bonsai can be directly translated as "tray planting". Bonsai is the art of dwarfing trees or plants, and developing them into a beautiful and appealing shape. Where this pastime originated, man, nature, elements, and change are all intertwined into this unique method of meditation and expression. But today bonsai can be veiwed as a hobby that allows a greater understanding and being with nature and also a way to enhance our gardens. Bonsai can be developed from seedlings or cutting, from young trees or from naturally occuring stunted trees transplanted into containers. The bonsai, with it's container and soil, physically independant of the earth since it's roots are not planted in it, is a seperate entity, competion in itself yet still part of nature. Thus came the phrase, "heaven and earth in one container".
A Basic History
Bonsai first appeared in China, over a thousand years ago, on a basic scale known as pun-sai where it was practised by growing single specimen trees in pots. During this time they often looked like animals, birds, and dragons. Bonsai was then introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), by means of Zen Buddism. By the 14th century bonsai was beleived to be a highly refined art form, meaning that it must have been an established practise for many years before that time. Over time bonsai took on many styles with each varied precisely from the other. Now it has evolved to reflect the changing tastes and times - with a great variety of countries, cultures, and conditions in which it now practised, and is regarded as a symbol of culture and ideas.
How To Create a Bonsai
The first thing to remember in bonsai is that the tree and the pot form a single harmonious unit where the shape, texture, and colour of one compliments the other. A bonsai should be planted or grown off-centre in the pot because symbolically heaven and earth meet in the centre and nothing should occupy that space. Also asymetry is vital to the overall effect. Three basic virtues are necessary to create a bonsai: shin-zen-bi, (truth, goodness, and beauty).There are no specific plant species that must be used, but common varieties include; pine, azalea, camellia, bamboo, and plum trees. Bonsai are quite personalized and there are no strict rules if it only done for enjoyment. It also does not have to be expensive but requires time, patience, skill, and endurance. It is not enough to just let the tree grow and let nature take it's course. Every branch and twig is shaped until the desired image is achieved. The image must also be then maintained and improved by a constant regime of pruning and triming. The pot of the bonsai is also important, because size and balance must be considered. The overalldesign is determined by the plant's placement in the pot, which is usually made of ceramics for good outdoor survival.
Styles of Bonsai
The two basic styles are the classic,(Koten), and the informal or 'comic', (Bunjin). In Koten the base of the tree is wider and tapers off towards the top. In Bunjin it is the opposite and is much more difficult to master. From here there are also five more basic styles which are; formal upright, informal upright, slanting style, cascade, and semi-cascade.
Misconceptions of Bonsai
Famous theologists claim that bonsai is about 90% art and 10% horticulture, although others beleive that it is almost purely horticulture. Bonsai does not involve genetically altering a tree or deforming a plant. It actually causes no harm to the plant and some bonsai live much longer than a full size plant of the same species, given an adequate supply of water, air light, and nutrients. It also comonnly thought that bonsai are always very small, but most are between 25cm and 1 meter tall.
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Bibliography
Bonsai site
Ninja Bonsai
Bonsai World
Bonsai empire
