Bonsai is aptly defined as the process by which trees or shrubs are purposefully grown to be miniature models of their natural size. Pine trees in the wild reach a height of several meters but through bonsai, the tree is kept at less than a meter high. In addition to keeping the plant in a small pot or container, the miniaturization process is accomplished by pruning both the foliage and roots. Over time the branches are treated to follow a certain aesthetic transformation. The trunk is made to look aged and the foliage becomes a miniature representation of actual leaves.
History
Although 'bonsai' generally conjures up images of the Japanese version, the term has also come to include both the Chinese penjing and Korean bunjae. In fact, the bonsai process appears to have originated in mainland China around 200 AD. Although its origins on not entirely clear, the art may have started with the practice of potting medicinal plants for traveling Chinese healers who attempted to shape trunks to look like animals and mystic figures.
Bonsai in Japan started during the Heian Period and became a popular pastime of the rich during the Tokugawa Period. Bonsai eventually came to be recognized as an art and the term itself most likely came into use during the Meiji Period or late 19th century.
Styles
If grown correctly bonsai should look natural and never give the appearance that it has been manipulated by humans. The three forces that should come together are shin, zen, and bi, or truth essence, and beauty. Zen Buddhism is evident in its design and bonsai is often used as a medium of meditation and physical expression. It is often based on the idea of 'heaven and earth in one container'.
Bonsai come in different forms.
Upright Style
The upright style is straight with a tapering trunk and is both formal and informal in terms of practice. The apex is always over the center of the roots in this style.
Slant Style
The trunk is off-center to the roots with the apex lying at the right or far left of the roots in the slant style.
Cascade Style
The cascade style is a representation of trees growing over water or a mountainside.
Raft Style
Trees that have toppled over with new foliage emerging from the horizontal trunk are mimicked in the raft style.
Literati Style
The literati style puts emphasis on the long a contorted trunk with the foliage on the upper part.
Forest Style
This style of bonsai uses groups of 3-4 trees of varying height in one pot.
Techniques
Techniques in the shaping and dwarfing are precise and must not harm or kill the tree. Consistent pruning of the foliage and roots must be done seasonally in periods of dormancy. Shaping trees can be done by winding wires on intended branches and bent slowly till it lignifies and holds its current shape. To create the appearance of age, pieces of bark or whole branches are removed and new bark growth gives the desired effect. These techniques are known as jin and shari respectively.
Mame and shito are the smallest in the bonsai collection measuring less than 10 centimeters in height, while the 25 centimeter shohin can easily be held in the palm.
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