Bonsai Care Article

Chinese Bonsai: Not a Japanese Creation

You probably wouldn't believe it but the art of planting and tending to bonsais has been around for over two thousand years. Then called ‘pun-sai’, the ancient Chinese made unique animal designs such as dragons and birds out of the small branches of the small trees. These trees became the forefathers of what we now know as bonsais.

Although generally believed to be dwarf versions of plants or trees, any expert gardener would be able to tell you that bonsais aren't the smaller counterparts of bigger plant species. They are actually, just your regular plant that is carefully pruned on the tree’s crown or roots.

Also known as Pen-jing or scenery on trays, Chinese bonsai is more than a representation of a smaller version of a tree. Tending for it represents artistry and the illusion of maturity. It could also depict a small landscape (for example, the small tree could have a miniature brook and a miniscule mountain beside it).

Chinese bonsai is very much similar to its Japanese counterpart. Let us just define it as the ‘bigger picture’. How? A certain category of Chinese bonsai is making use of landscape in a small pot while the Japanese bonsai is putting just the tree in a small container.

As it is called Chinese bonsai, it originated from China and was transported to Japan during the seventh to the ninth century. There are three types of Penjing namely: Tree Penjing, Landscape Penjing and Water & Land Penjing.

Tree Penjing is the most similar to the Japanese form of bonsais. It is the authentic act of dwarfing trees to fit into small pots or containers.

Landscape Penjing makes use of rocks to depict mountainous regions beyond the miniature tree. Water and Land Penjing, on the other hand, makes use of the former two elements (the tree and some rocks) plus a third element which is the water to complete the landscape illusion.

Chinese bonsai is also considered as a spiritual object. The act itself of pruning, cultivating and generally tending for the plant exudes spirituality on a different level. It is believed that the closer a man gets to Mother Nature, the better able he is in understanding himself.

You need no spiritual training to be able to appreciate the beauty of Chinese bonsai. In its own right, it is a work of art and a source of serenity—nobody, in his right mind, would dispute.

Bonsai History

The first ever appearance of the Bonsai plant was in China. A thousand years ago, the practice of growing specimen tree inside pots started. These were referred to as ‘pun-sai’. These plants had rugged foliage and the trunks were often mistaken as animals such as birds and dragons.

Because of these, the Chinese bonsai often inspired the creation of legends and myths. Since the shape is often associated to serpents and dragons, caring for the plant has become an esteemed hobby in China.

Japan adopted the Chinese practice in the Kamakura period. Zen Buddhism was spreading around Asia and this was also the time when bonsai was introduced in Japan. Over the years, the plants were no longer limited in Buddhist monasteries for the Buddhist monks to care for. They became a symbol of the aristocrats. Soon enough, bonsai symbolized honor and prestige in the Japanese culture.

Later on, the philosophy and ideals the bonsai held were challenged. Bonsai represented the mixture of ancient beliefs as well as the philosophies from the East that harmonizes man with his nature and his soul.

The Japanese elite brought the hobby of shaping bonsai indoors. It became a crucial part of Japanese culture. Bonsais were displayed on shelves inside households. These were no longer plants that were found in the garden. Pruning extended to the smaller trees.

In the 17th and 18th century, Japanese art reached its peak and was highly regarded by the surrounding cultures. Bonsai became an interesting collection for various races – not just the Japanese. This has established the art form all through out the other traditions and cultures around the globe.

Bonsai took on different styles. It varies from one technique to another but bonsai artists continue to take on the challenge by introducing a new concept one after another. It resulted to even small buildings becoming an art form. This is the art of bon-kei.

Bonsai exhibitions have been held in Vienna, Paris and London to name a few. This has surely made the world aware of bonsai art and culture. This phenomenal green movement also increased the demand for bonsai. Bonsai enthusiasts take on the study of pruning and shaping the plant.

Because of the changing times, bonsai has also reflected an evolution in its design to compliment the turns of modern times, as well as the bonsai enthusiasts’ tastes. Add to the fact that the great variety inspired from the cultures and conditions of the countries practicing it.