Many people may think of “bonsai” as a part of traditional Japanese culture. Bonsai, the art of planting and loving plants in small ceramic containers, is loved not only in Japan but also all over the world. But how did bonsai come to be so attractive to so many people? Here is a detailed explanation of where bonsai originated and its history, including the types of bonsai and how to grow them.
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History of bonsai

“Bonsai”, a traditional Japanese culture, can be traced back to China about 1,300 years ago. In the Tang Dynasty, a wall painted inside a grave built for Crown Prince Li Xian shows one of the processional people holding in both hands a pottery with a plant in it. On top of the pot are two stone-like blocks, from each of which a plant grows powerfully and is painted to resemble a flower. This shows that the culture of loving plants in pots had already taken root in ancient China before the word “bonsai” was created. In Japan, it is said that bonsai was introduced from China at the end of the Heian period (794-1185). In the “Saigyo Monogatari Emaki” of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), there is a depiction of something similar to a bonsai and in the “Kasuga Gongenki”, which tells the origin of Kasuga Shrine, we see a bonsai in the garden of a nobleman’s residence with an extremely advanced style in both shape of tree and container. After the Kamakura period (1185-1333), some bonsai were depicted on folding screens, which were actively made from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) to the Edo period (1603-1868). Also, in the ” Japanese-Portuguese Dictionary” written by a Jesuit Christian missionary in 1603, there is a description of “Bonsan”. A bonsan is a sculptural object that expresses a landscape scene around a stone, and the bonsai depicted in folding screen paintings were called bonsan in those days. In the Sengoku period, There was an important story about the history and culture of bonsai, the famous Noh play “Hachinoki”. The story of “Hachinoki” is as follows: One day, in the bitter cold of winter, a samurai who has lost his territory rents his house as an inn to a monk who is in trouble because of the snow. However, the samurai cannot afford to have enough firewood to keep out the cold, he had no choice but to offer his beloved bonsai trees (plum, pine, and cherry) as firewood for the monk. As it turned out later, the monk was the regent Hojo Tokiyori, who was so impressed with the spirit of the samurai that he gave him a territory as a reward. This “Hachinoki” can be appreciated in Noh even today.You can understand how much bonsai was loved and cherished by the people. In the Edo period (1603-1868), the gardens with bonsai were built in the grounds of daimyo residences. The oldest existing bonsai in Japan is said to be a japanese white pine bonsai from the era of Iemitsu Tokugawa, the third shogun of Edo period. It is well known that Iemitsu loved and grew bonsai, and it is said that he displayed and enjoyed many bonsai. At that time, it is known that the tree was already quite large and could barely be carried by four or five people. The tree is about 600 years old, but surprisingly, it is still sprouting every year. Until the Edo period, bonsai was a hobby only for the upper class people, but in the late Edo period, the general public began to enjoy it as a hobby. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), bonsai, which used to be a competition for the rarity of appearance, changed its focus to the creation of natural scenery. It is said that Hirofumi Ito and Shigenobu Okuma set up a planting area in their residences and displayed bonsai for visitors and meetings. Bonsai also spread not only in political and business circles, but also among ordinary citizens and women as an important pastime along with embroidery, kimonos, and calligraphy. Today, the number of bonsai fans has increased, and the activities of bonsai lovers both in Japan and abroad are also remarkable. Bonsai, a one of the symbol of Japanese culture, has been accepted overseas, and various groups and communities exist. There are various ways to enjoy bonsai, and there are free decorations that are not limited to the traditional ways, which reminds us of bonsai’s position as art, design, and advertising.

Types of bonsai

There are many different species of trees used for bonsai. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Pine tree

Pine is an attractive tree species that is easy to create a typical bonsai, and the process of growing it is not that difficult, so it is very popular. The following are the main types of pine trees used for bonsai.

Japanese white pine

This species is known as a “good luck tree”. If grown well, it will become more elegant year after year. The leaves can be enjoyed throughout the year. It is easy to water and manage, making it a good choice for beginners.

Japanese black pine

Black pine is also called “the king of pine bonsai” and is one of the most representative pine trees. It is easy to grow in the shade, even in places with little sunlight.

Todo pine

This is a characteristic tree species with a slender figure that does not have a very pine-like shape. Unlike other pine trees, it does not prefer direct sunlight or heat, so it is easy to grow in any place.

Cherry blossom

Cherry blossom bonsai is classified as a flower bonsai. There are two types of bonsai, one is to admire all the flowers blooming at once and the other is to admire one or two flowers while seeking the beauty of dignity and neatness. There are many species of cherry trees, but the one that is mainly used for bonsai is called “Fuji cherry”. Cherry blossom is more difficult to grow as a bonsai tree than other species because the cut end of the tree tends to rot. However, if you have the basic knowledge of how to grow cherry blossom, even beginners can enjoy it throughout the year.

Leaves and fruits

Bonsai with leaves is called mixed wood bonsai, and it is a style of bonsai to love the beauty of the leaves and the detail of the branches. You can enjoy the changes of the four seasons that are unique to Japan: buds in spring, green leaves in summer, yellow and red leaves in autumn, and the beauty of bare trees in winter. The zelkova tree, with its particularly beautiful autumn leaves, is considered to be a representative of mixed wood bonsai and is easy to grow even for beginners. Bonsai with fruiting trees is another style of bonsai that can be enjoyed in many ways.

How to grow bonsai

Find out the basic ways to grow plants for bonsai and what to be careful about.

Tools you need

Bonsai scissors

If the scissors are not sharp enough, it is easy to damage the branches when pruning, so choose sharp scissors.

Tweezers with spatula

Tweezers with a spatula are necessary to remove weeds from the bonsai and to level the soil.

Tongs

It is used for wrapping the wire. You can use nippers instead.

Bamboo chopsticks

Necessary for working with wire.

Watering can

Used to water the bonsai.

Pot bottom net

Use when replanting the bonsai. Choose a net made of natural material because metal nets can easily damage the roots.

Soil container

When replanting a bonsai.

How to choose a bonsai pot

When choosing a pot for your bonsai, choose a pot that is not too small so that it can hold some water. The pot also needs to be warm enough for the plant roots to grow. Unglazed pots have relatively high heat and water absorption, making them a good material for bonsai. It is also important to pay attention to the appearance as well as the functionality. If you choose a pot that is slightly smaller than the overall shape of the tree, you will be able to balance the entire bonsai and make it look beautiful. It is also important to think about the image you want to create and choose a pot with a design that looks good.

How to care for a bonsai

Growing plants for a long time means that daily care is very important. Here are some of the main ways to care for your bonsai and what you should pay attention to.

Watering

Watch your plants carefully every day and water them slowly and plentifully when the soil is dry. The frequency of watering should vary with the season. In spring and autumn, when the plants are less affected by the cold and warm weather in Japan, water once or twice a day evenly, so that the water flows out of the bottom of the pot. In summer, the water tends to dry out, so it needs to be watered two or three times a day. In winter, watering once every two days is fine, as the water does not dry out easily. Check the soil condition as well as the growth of the plant, and get the hang of it so that you can judge the right amount and timing.

Pruning

Frequent pruning is a must to keep the shape of the plant beautiful. The basic way of pruning is to prune off branches that do not look good against the trunk. The main points of bad branches are as follows Downward pointing branch: A branch that is pointing downward from the branch. Trunk cutting branch: a branch that crosses the trunk when the bonsai is viewed from the front Protruding branch: a branch that sticks out toward the viewer when the bonsai is viewed from the front Upside down branch: a branch that is growing in the opposite direction of its growth If you take care of your bonsai every day, you will gradually learn which branches to cut. Also, be careful not to damage the branches when cutting them.

Wiring

Wrapping the wire around the branch is one of the most important tasks to make the bonsai look good. By wrapping the wire around the branches, you can bring the tree’s shape closer to the ideal form or correct it.

Let’s understand Japanese culture through bonsai

Bonsai is a Japanese tradition, but it originated in ancient China and has been a part of people’s lives in Japan for a long time. Why don’t you experience Japanese culture through Japanese bonsai?