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