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