Bonsai -盆栽-
Bonsai is a way of enjoying plants by “training” them. It is not simply a matter of planting a tree in a pot, but rather requires various techniques during the training process.
WHAT IS “BONSAI” ?
Bonsai is a traditional art and hobby in Japan that involves growing plants in pots to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. The word “bonsai” means “planted in a container” in Japanese .
Bonsai has been around for well over a thousand years and any tree species can be used to grow one. Bonsai techniques such as pinching buds, pruning, and wiring branches are used to limit and redirect healthy growth. Beginners should start by learning the basic tree forms. Bonsai reflects the Japanese people’s delicate aesthetic sense towards living plants and became widely enjoyed during the Edo period (1603-1867).
The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree.
Plum
Sakura
Maple
Oak
Cedar
Pine
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Types of bonsai
In Japan, there is a wide variety of tree species grown as bonsai, as long as they can grow healthy in a pot. Popular species include members of the pine family called “shohaku,” trees that turn beautiful red leaves in autumn such as maple and Japanese zelkova, trees that bear beautiful flowers such as cherry blossom and plum, and those that bear fruits such as quince and persimmon. In other countries outside of Japan, suitable tree species for the climate and soil of each country are also grown as bonsai. The size of bonsai varies, from large ones close to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) to cute ones that can fit in the palm of your hand.
The typical types of trees used for bonsai?
There are various types of trees used for bonsai, but the following are generally the most commonly used:
Pine (Matsu): Bonsai pine trees, which have a dignified presence and are grown over a long period of time, are particularly valuable and highly regarded.
Oak (Kashiwa): Oak bonsai trees are characterized by their slender and beautiful branches, and there are many varieties.
Cherry Blossom (Sakura): Bonsai cherry blossom trees, which bloom beautiful flowers in spring, are one of Japan’s representative flowering trees.
Maple (Kaede): Bonsai maple trees, which show beautiful autumn foliage, are popular for their vivid colors.
Plum (Ume): Bonsai plum trees, which bloom white flowers in winter, give a refreshing impression.
Cedar (Sugi): Cedar bonsai trees are characterized by their delicate branches and beautiful vivid green color.
These are some of the typical types of trees used for bonsai, but there are many other varieties. Bonsai is not only about the tree species, but the planting and container also play an important role.
Shohaku Bonsai -松柏盆栽-
The representative tree species for bonsai is always an evergreen conifer that thrives with lush green leaves.
Particularly beloved are pine and juniper, and the two are combined to create what is called “shohaku” in Japanese. Shohaku trees are known for their strong vitality, and their roots and trunks display various forms of aesthetic beauty. In contrast to shohaku, “zakumoku” is a term used to describe trees that change with the seasons.
Conifer bonsai -針葉樹盆栽-
bonsai made from coniferous trees such as pine, cypress, and cedar. They have a dignified appearance.
Deciduous tree bonsai -庭木盆栽-
bonsai made from trees such as cherry blossoms, maple, oak, and chestnut. They have beautiful leaves and flowers.
Flower bonsai -花卉盆栽-
bonsai made from flowers such as chrysanthemums, roses, peonies, and tulips. They have beautiful colors and shapes, and you can enjoy the changing of the seasons.
Evergreen tree bonsai -常緑樹盆栽-
bonsai made from evergreen trees such as camellias, boxwoods, and rhododendrons. They have beautiful leaves and flowers, and show different expressions throughout the year.
Succulent bonsai -多肉植物盆栽-
bonsai made from evergreen trees such as camellias, boxwoods, and rhododendrons. They have beautiful leaves and flowers, and show different expressions throughout the year.
What is the history of bonsai?
The history of bonsai is ancient, and it is said that the techniques for bonsai existed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). In Japan, bonsai already existed during the Heian period (794-1185 AD) and became popular among the aristocracy. Later, during the Muromachi period (1336-1573 AD), bonsai was incorporated into the gardens of the samurai class, and it also spread among the common people during the Edo period (1603-1868 AD).
Originally, bonsai was a hobby of the wealthy, so cultivating bonsai was considered a kind of status symbol. Bonsai required artistic skills and sensibilities, so the techniques for bonsai were refined and polished by artists and craftsmen.
Today, bonsai is widely enjoyed as a hobby by the general public. Additionally, bonsai is highly valued around the world as one of Japan’s cultural treasures.
Bonsai: Techniques
Bonsai involves techniques such as pinching buds, pruning, wiring branches, and careful fertilization to limit and redirect healthy growth.
Any plant species that has a woody stem or trunk, true branches, and smaller or reducible leaves can be used to create a bonsai, and starter material can come from trees, bushes, hedges, or the wild landscape.
There are various expressions of bonsai, such as chokkan, shakan, moyogi, and sokan/sankan styles, each with its intended purpose and corresponding techniques. The type of bonsai soil is also diverse and sometimes blended to suit the characteristics of the plant. Beginners should start by learning the basic tree forms and practice with their hands to develop their skills.However, each expression has its own intended purpose and corresponding techniques.
The type of bonsai soil is also diverse, and sometimes blended to suit the characteristics of the plant. It’s best to first grasp the basic aspects of bonsai and learn by actually practicing with your hands.
Basic techniques such as pinching buds, pruning and wiring branches, and carefully restricting but not abandoning fertilizers are used to limit and redirect healthy growth.
Through daily maintenance and passing it down through generations, we can cultivate bonsai that move people’s hearts and evoke a sense of wonder. Even with a splendidly grown bonsai, there is no true completion as the tree continues to grow. This is why bonsai is often called the “art of never-ending completion”. Pursuing the joy of cultivation forever is also the depth of charm in bonsai.
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