Bonsai History

Here's a little bit of Bonsai History...

1.      THE HISTORY, ORIGINS AND PHILOSOPHY OF BONSAI.

1. History.

Contrary to popular belief, the art of bonsai started in China, not Japan.

Initially bonsai wasn’t started as an art form but rather came from the need or necessity of horticulture, for these three reasons;

i. The Chinese farmer found it far easier to transport a fruit tree or any other food producing plant in some form of container. This gave him the ability to move his prize crop, or to transport it to another area for propagation or sale.

ii. The other reason that this method was used was to give the owner greater control over the tree for its fruit and flowering qualities. It allowed him greater command over the growth and health of the tree.

iii. Thirdly trees and plants play an important part in the cultural significance of the Chinese. At various times of the year, ceremonies were hallmarked with the use of different types of trees. Having them in containers enabled them to make them transportable, thus allowing them to bring them into their homes for these ceremonies. Having a tree that was flowering at the same time as the corresponding festival was highly prized!

It would be wrong to suggest that the Chinese were the only culture that used potted trees as part of their agriculture. The Greeks, Egyptians and Romans amongst others also used these methods, but to the Chinese, it took on more of a cultural significance.

Thus the implementation of trees in pots was from the need of:

Food

Ornamentation

Herbs\Medicine

Culture

The art of shaping trees commenced probably as early as 2205 BC. This was inspired by the manicured gardens of the Chinese royalty, where many trees were shaped to conform to the design of the garden. This type of garden is still seen today and is perhaps one of the key note features of both the Japanese and Chinese garden landscapes.

Some of the early styles created by the Chinese were in fact quite grotesque, being twisted into very unnatural forms, and others being trained into Chinese characters.

Up to this time trees had not really been trained into what we know today as 'Bonsai'. They were as previously mentioned, used for horticultural use or unusual twisted shapes. In about 1900 in China in a monastry, some monks began what is known as the 'Lingnan method', or clip and grow method. It was this type of pruning that began turning potted trees into works of art.

B. The Chinese Japanese connection.

China and Japan have a long history of cultural exchange. It was in the earlier times that Japan was influenced by China with the growing of potted trees.

One of the most probable links was from that of Buddhism. Buddhism was in existence in China prior to Japan. It filtered up from India throughout Asia where it took on various forms. It was from Chinese monks that the art of bonsai was carried to the monks that had converted in Japan.

Bonsai became a part of the focal point of both poetry and art, much of which is still seen today. Much of the styling reflected the philosophical understanding of the east, that which was based in Taoism. Taoism is where the idea of yin and yang developed, and is seen in art were a thin line is complimented with a thick line, a straight line is complimented with a curved line and so on. Also part of the belief was that even though something in nature was very small, because of its great age it contained the power and strength of the larger specimen, and even more so because it was contained in a much smaller space.

C. To the World

As more and more trade began to take place between countries, the interest of foreigners grew quickly, and the export of these 'unusual potted trees' began to grow. It was then the demand that created a market for westerners, and the trees began to improve rapidly, which brought us to more of the current styles that we have today.

In the mid 19^th century, the aesthetic principles we see today began to become popular. This shape is characterized by the asymmetrical triangular shape.

In Japan in the early 1900s a small but dedicated group had begun to meet regularly, hold exhibitions and produced a magazine. Later in 1927 the greatest breakthrough came when a public exhibition was held in Tokyo at the art gallery, thus granting the skill of Bonsai growing the status of art.

After world war 2 many servicemen who were stationed in Japan were mesmerized by the amazing shape of these small trees and began to take them back to the USA.

 D. Bonsai or potted tree?

 The word 'Bonsai' comes from the Japanese, and means literally plant (sai) in a small pot (bon). Yet the concept of bonsai is far more defined. To just put a small tree in a pot does not make a bonsai. Many trees seen for sale at markets, or even some nurseries are merely young saplings placed in a bonsai container and sold as such.

It is the art form of bonsai that will eventually create what is pleasing to the eye. It will immediately take you into a small world where you feel that you could climb the tree, or walk amongst the forest.

There is a clear correlation between the art of bonsai, and the structure or theory. Not unlike painting, where certain colours used together have certain effects, so too with bonsai.

Try as hard as you will, unless certain guidelines are followed you will never produce a pleasing tree! The art form side of bonsai comes when these principles are adhered to using your own artistic expression.

A Mr Yoshimura began to teach the methods that are still in place today, which he did by dividing the different types of styles, characterised by the trunk shape, which in turn helped the westerners in their production of trees. So rather than just producing more potted trees, they had the basic rules for creating bonsai. To maintain individualism and character, these rules were adapted yet did not demand to be followed in the strictest sense.

I remember when I first started and read thoroughly the methods and shapes that went to make up a bonsai, but rarely ever found a specimen, even in text books, that matched the criteria!!! So don’t worry too much if your tree doesn’t look like the one in the book.

It could be compared to music and learning theory, just playing scales all day is melodic, yet very unsatisfying. Yet without knowing scales, the pathway to good music is going to be a long one.

There is no such thing as a "perfect Bonsai". If you walk into a forest you will not find two trees alike, yet they will follow a basic pattern according to the type of tree they are.

We discuss various styles in a later study, but you must remember that they are guidelines only!

As you use these guidelines, you will bring your own personal touch to the tree, this is where the artistry comes in. Yes this does take time, but there is something very special working with a living piece of art!!

Bonsai styles have changed over the years, and will continue to change, and you will be part of that change.

Remember that you are part of the bonsai evolution, treat it as a journey, not a destination. Do this and you will discover why many thousands before you have enjoyed this fabulous art!

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