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The Art of Bonsai
- Although the art of bonsai is now most commonly associated with Japan,
bonsai first appeared in China around 2,000 years ago. These first Chinese
examples of bonsai (known as pun sai) reflected a deep connection with
the natural world with branches and tree trunks shaped and manipulated to
look like animals, dragons or birds.
- Bonsai literally means 'tree in a pot'. But a bonsai isn't simply any tree
that has been planted in a pot. A bonsai is created through delicate control
of the growing conditions of the plant. The branches of the tree are carefully
pruned and shaped and only those branches that are important to the overall
design are kept. Wire is also used to shape the branches and the trunk. The
roots, too, are trimmed and confined to the pot. In this way nature and the
human hand combine to produce a living work of art.
- A basic understanding of the ways in which a bonsai is created can dispel
some of the common misconceptions that still exist about the art of bonsai.
A bonsai is an ordinary tree or plant and not one that is genetically modified
in any way. Nor is a bonsai kept small through inflicting cruelty or harming
the tree. With proper care and attention a bonsai will often outlive a full-size
tree of the same species, and prized specimens can be passed on from one generation
to the next. It is also untrue that bonsai are usually only a few centimetres
tall, ranging as they do from around 25 centimetres up to a metre in height.
- Around a thousand years ago, bonsai was also taken up in Japan, at a time
when many cultural trademarks of China were being adopted there. Bonsai first
appeared in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) through the introduction
of Zen Buddhism and were soon popular among the Japanese aristocracy as symbols
of honour and prestige. The Japanese developed the art of bonsai to a degree
not seen before, reaching a peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was in
the mid-19th century, when Japan finally opened up to the rest of the world,
that interest in bonsai began to spread to the West.
- As with any art form, the aesthetics of bonsai are complex and require years
of training and experience. However, there are a few basic principles that
can be learnt quickly in order to develop an appreciation of bonsai. A bonsai
should never be planted in the centre of a pot, but rather slightly to one
side. This asymmetry is a key aspect of the visual effect of the tree. More
important, the centre point symbolises the place where heaven and earth meet,
so nothing should occupy this space.
- Like their full-size relatives, bonsai require careful looking-after and
attention. Although each species of plant has its own specific needs, there
are a few basic guidelines that can help a bonsai to flourish. Although external
conditions need to be taken into account, bonsai usually need to be watered
every couple of days. The best time for watering is early in the morning or
late in the afternoon at the same time every day, if possible. Also, when
trimming and pruning the tree, it's vital to not remove all new growth at
one time. Finally, if wire has been used to shape branches, great care should
be taken when removing the wire to protect the branch.
