Bonsai

Bonsai is the art of cultivating plants and trees in small containers that keep them smaller than normal. Several techniques are applied, like transplantation, pruning and wiring, giving the plant a shape that allows us to remember a natural scene.

¿What is Bonsai?

Bonsai 盆栽 are plants and trees which are cultivated in containers to make them grow as beautiful as in their natural state. Cultivating them is an artistic hobby, even more interesting than cultivating flowers and requires more dedication, physically and emotionally. It's also a way for the Japaneses to express their respect for the nature and living things.

The term "bonsai" comes in it's most ancient form from a poem about the 14th century, but people began to use the word 300 years later. Ancient bonsais can be found in old scrolls aged more than 700 years,

In those old times only people from the high society, like aristocrats, priests and other high ranked persons used to practice this art. But by the 17th century common people started to enjoy them as well. After Japan ended its 300 years period of isolation (1868) and opened itself to occidental countries, the bonsais started to be appreciated as pieces of art. Many people began to cultivate them not only as a pastime but also as an artistical expression. Large scale exhibitions where organized, and lots of books showing cultivation techniques were publicized.

Bonsai is a practice that continues nowadays as an amusement for everybody. Stimulated by the weather and the love to the nature, it's an art very valued as an important part of Japan's cultural tradition.

Not only Japaneses are dedicated to bonsai. More than 1.200 persons from 32 countries assisted to the World Bonsai Convention in Omiya city, in Saitama prefecture, in 1989. This convention helped to launch the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF), responsible for transmitting bonsai cultive techniques around the world. Since then, the association has organized international conventions every 4 years in Florida (USA), Seul (South Korea), and in Munich (Germany).

Bonsai types

Any tree or bush can be used for bonsai. Any plant able to grow inside a pot is suitable. The most used are pine trees, maple trees (whose leaves change color during fall), trees with flowers, cherry trees, plum trees, etc. Outside Japan trees adapted to local weather are used. Trees can be grown up to 3 feet or small enough to fit in a hand's palm.

Bonsai can be classified according to its shape. The most important thing is to let each tree to grow freely without trying to force it to fit in a particular shape, helping it to reach the most beautiful and balanced shape.

Bonsai containers should be chosen in a way that best fit the tree's shape, size and color, same as people chooses the clothes that fit them the best, contributing to a better look for the bonsai.

The bonsai cultive process consists in controlling the shape the tree is acquiring. Sometimes it's necessary to bind the branches with wires or even to cut them. Many could think this is cruel, but this is the proper way to keep a tree healthy in a pot.

The tree has a life of its own, and it grows according to the rules of nature. As a result, they can never be completely controlled by humans. The key is not to try to force our wish on the tree, but to appreciate each plants dignity and to treat it with respect.

The bonsais that has been treated with care day by day can produce a deep and long lasting impression in those contemplating them, specially those trees aged hundreds of year, which has been transferred from one generation of bonsai-lovers to the other.

Contrasting with other artworks, there is no "completed" bonsai as far as the tree is alive and growing. They must be maintained daily, that's because bonsai is sometimes referred as a "neverending art". This is precisely why many enthusiastics think it's worthy to cultivate a bonsai.

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