Understanding Bonsai History

More than 1,000 years ago, Bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh) first appeared as “Punsai”, which is a practice of growing single specimen trees in pots. In the beginning, Bonsai had little foliage, was rugged in appearance, and the trunks were badly gnarled. Because these trunksoften looked like dragons, birds, and other animals, many legends and myths were born, making the grotesque trunk formations highly prized, which is even the case today.

Bonsai is actually two words, “Bon”, and “Sai”. The word “Bon” means “tray” and “Sai”, “growing” or “planting”. Therefore, the two words put together give you the translation of “tray growing” or “tray planting”. When you say the word, “Bonsai” to people, they usually think of a type of tree. However, Bonsai is actually a way of growing many different species of trees.

As you will learn later in this book, many different types of trees would make an excellent Bonsai such as Pine and Juniper. The key is learning which trees work best with what styles, as you will also learn. With Bonsai, the goal is to make the tree appear old, which is done through training.


CHINA
In China, Bonsai is called “Penjing” and is believed that it got its beginning sometime during the Han Dynasty. Legend tells us that a very eccentric Emperor had a magnificent courtyard created, designed with hills, rivers, lakes, valleys, and trees, all represented of the empire he reigned over.

The goal of his landscaping scheme was to create for himself a way to look out over his empire from the privacy and comfort of his home. This Emperor considered his courtyard a prized possession and sent out a decree that if anyone else were found to be in possession of a miniature landscape such as his, these individuals would be put to death.

A second Chinese legend is that Bonsai is traceable back to the 4th Century, being grown at that time by a civil servant and Chinese poet by the name of Guen-ming. Most believe that once Guen-ming retired, as a way to pass time, he started growing Chrysanthemums in clay pots, which a number of historians now believe to be the beginning of the Bonsai. Some 200 years later during the Tang Dynasty, this same practice could be seen.

Regardless of which legend might be true, an amazing discovery was made in 1972 when the tomb of Prince Zhang Huai who ruled the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 901 AD was dug up. Within the tomb, there was actual proof of the Bonsai in which two ancient wall paintings depicted servants carrying several plants that strongly resembled Bonsai. In fact, one of the two paintings showed a man carrying a miniature landscape with the other painting of a servant with a small pot containing a tree, also being carried.


JAPAN
Along with China, Japan also plays an important role in the history of Bonsai, having been introduced during the Heian period from 794 to 1191 through Zen Buddhist monks. The Japanese adopted most of China’s cultural trademarks, quickly influencing the fine art for which Japan is so famous, something the Chinese had not yet achieved.

Eventually, the Bonsai trees expanded beyond the Buddhists monks and monasteries, reaching to the representative of the aristocracy where they became a symbol of honor and prestige. As this transition occurred, the philosophies and ideologies of the Bonsai changed dramatically. For example, with the Japanese, the Bonsai is associated with strong ancient beliefs whereas Eastern philosophies believe Bonsai to be a harmonious connection between man, the soul, and nature.

For many, it is believed that growing Bonsai in Japan during the Kamakura period was something done by the influential class. This belief is based on a translation taken from an ancient Japanese scroll that reads, “To appreciate and find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity.

Then by the 14th Century with the Chinese invasion of Japan, the Bonsai was established as a sophisticated form of art. For the elite people of Japan, Bonsai would be potted and then displayed indoors, often adorning a home while sitting on a specially designed shelve. However, at this time, the Bonsai was still a wild tree, one not yet trimmed and pruned.

The popularity of the Bonsai continued until the 17th and 18th Centuries, at which time they were at the peak of popularity. To refine the appearance of this tree, the majority of the tree was removed, leaving only the essential elements, which was in alignment of the Japanese philosophy of simple beauty. Interestingly, we know there was Chinese influence on the early Bonsai masters because the characters used to represent Bonsai are the same in Japanese form as in Chinese.


KOREA
Most people are aware of the historical connection between China and Japan, and the Bonsai tree, but few know about the long and rich tradition associated with Korea. Called “Punjae” in Korea, the Bonsai was actually introduced from China during the Silla and Koguryo kingdoms, during the 1st century C.E.

During the “Three Kingdoms of Korea”, the Korean peninsula was divided into three very distinct empires, which occurred between the 1st and the 7th Centuries C.E. Then during the Lee Dynasty, which began in 1392 C.E., the Bonsai became very popular.

During this same time, the Suseoks tradition was also developed, which was an art form that captured natural phenomena to include landscaping in which miniature stones were used. Today, Korea still values the Bonsai, which remains popular. In fact, Korea boasts a number of Bonsai organizations, to include the famous Korea National Bonsai Association.


WORLD EXPOSURE
Japan had remained an isolated country for more than 230 years but then in the mid-19th Century, they opened up to the world. Travelers began visiting this magnificent part of the globe, where they learned about the miniature trees grown in ceramic pots.

Over time, the Bonsai started being exhibited in Vienna, Paris, and London, making its way to the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. It was at this time that people were given full exposure to the Bonsai, falling in love with it just as the Chinese and Japanese had done for so many years.

As you can imagine, the phenomenon and demand of owning a Bonsai exploded. However, the naturally stunted plants were difficult to find, which lead to various types of trees being produced commercially. Horticulturists began training these young plants to replicate the appearance of the Bonsai. This experimentation led to a number of different styles to include using bamboo skewers, wire, and so on.

Then, by the end of World War II, the soldiers returning home from Japan brought information about the Bonsai with them, further sparking interest among the western population. In fact, some soldiers brought actual trees home with them but most died shortly thereafter.


Regardless, these Bonsai lived just long enough to intrigue and interest people, building a strong interest in this special tree. For most Americans, this was the first time they had even heard Bonsai and now, they had a newfound respect for Japan and this incredible art form.

With the world not highly interested in Bonsai, the Japanese realized the importance of capitalizing on this interest. The result was new nurseries being founded for the sole purpose of growing, training, and exporting Bonsai trees. What was discovered is that because different parts of the world have different climates, not all trees do well in the same region.

Therefore, various plants were used so that people all around the world could enjoy the art of Bonsai and be successful at it. With the variation in trees, the techniques for raising them, whether from seeds or cuttings, styling, and grafting, must coordinate with the specific tree being grown.

Even with all the different trees now being used, the Japanese still prefer to focus on using only native species for the Bonsai. Typically, here you would see Azaleas, Maples, and Pines. Today, the Bonsai has continued to evolve so that now there are many new varieties and practices.

Regardless, the Bonsai is still a powerful symbol in Japan, as being a direct connection to their culture and ideology. For instance, every New Year, every Japanese home will create a Tokonoma, which is a special place where beautiful ornaments and prized possessions are displayed. As a part of this display is of course, the Bonsai!

Today, you can purchase Bonsai trees at your local gardening center, department store, nursery, and many common places. The problem with most is that they are only young cuttings or starters, and not actually a true Bonsai like those produced by the masters. For this reason, many of these Bonsai are called “Pre-Bonsai” and are often used only to start the process of growing an authentic Bonsai.