Bonsai is an old artform that strives to
capture the essence of nature
by growing miniature
trees in pots.
Bonsai is an artform that involves keeping live plants in a pot. And that actually is the literally translation of the word bonsai, plant in a pot.
Obviously, mankind has grown plants in containers for a very long time. It is difficult to judge when and where it all originated. For example, old nomad tribes grew shrubs and various types of vegetables, partly for medical reasons. They used pots for mobility reasons.
The Japanese created Modern bonsai, several hundred years ago after influences from China. In short, the goal is to capture the essence of nature, in small scale, by growing and shaping miniature trees in a pot. Success is depending on lots of details, such as the shape and health of the tree, the pot and the surface of the soil, how the roots grip the soil and even the stand the pot is standing on.
In Japan, bonsai has a strong spiritual importance, coupled to Zen, and is often used as subjects to focus upon during meditation. Priced specimens can be hundreds of years old and are passed on in generations. Here is a link to a more comprehensive study in the history of bonsai.
In the western world, bonsai was mainly introduced after the Second World War and its popularity is growing fast at the moment. Local style is gradually developing since we try to mimic the local nature using local plant material. .
Obviously, mankind has grown plants in containers for a very long time. It is difficult to judge when and where it all originated. For example, old nomad tribes grew shrubs and various types of vegetables, partly for medical reasons. They used pots for mobility reasons.
The Japanese created Modern bonsai, several hundred years ago after influences from China. In short, the goal is to capture the essence of nature, in small scale, by growing and shaping miniature trees in a pot. Success is depending on lots of details, such as the shape and health of the tree, the pot and the surface of the soil, how the roots grip the soil and even the stand the pot is standing on.
In Japan, bonsai has a strong spiritual importance, coupled to Zen, and is often used as subjects to focus upon during meditation. Priced specimens can be hundreds of years old and are passed on in generations. Here is a link to a more comprehensive study in the history of bonsai.
In the western world, bonsai was mainly introduced after the Second World War and its popularity is growing fast at the moment. Local style is gradually developing since we try to mimic the local nature using local plant material. .
© Stefan Strand.