The Art of Bonsai making

The History of Bonsai..;


The art of bonsai making is already more than one thousand years old. In the olden times, this practice was known as “Punsai” which means the practice of growing single specimen trees in pots. History tells us that China and Japan were the first countries that started this art of growing trees in pots. Later on, the art of creating bonsai plants were introduced to other continents like Europe and America.

The Making Of Miniature Plants In China

The Chinese called this practice “Penjing”. According to legends, the emperor of China during the Han Dynasty wanted to build a magnificent courtyard that featured the hills, lakes, rivers, valleys and trees that can be found within his vast empire. To please the Emperor, his royal subjects cultivated miniature trees to fit into the design of the courtyard. The Emperor was so pleased with the miniature plants that he considered the bonsai plants as one of his prized possession. The Emperor became so obsessed with the miniature plants that he decreed that no one should cultivate these types of plants within his kingdom. Legends have it that the Emperor ordered that anyone who keeps a bonsai plant in their possession be put to death. Since then, the bonsai plant was considered as a valuable possession for many people in the kingdom for many generations. For many years, only the elite of China were given the right to cultivate this plant within their homes.

Nobody can really tell whether or not there is some truth to the legend but one is for sure, the art of creating miniature plants is one of China’s legacies to the world. Even today, bonsai plants are still considered a valuable possession by many people in China.

Bonsai Making In Japan

Together with the Chinese, the Japanese people influenced the art of making miniature plants. The art of creating miniature plants was introduced to the monks of Japan around the Japanese Heian period from 794 to 1191. The Zen Buddhist started cultivating bonsai plants in their monasteries by adopting the methods used by the Chinese. Many people visited the monasteries and were fascinated by the miniature plants. Soon thereafter, many people belonging to the royal family started to cultivate bonsai plants in their homes, making the bonsai plant a symbol of honor and prestige in the Japanese community. At present, the miniature plants still adorn the homes of the rich and powerful in Japan.