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Different Japanese Arts : BONSAI There are many misconceptions about the word BONSAI saying it is a cruel art of dwarfing trees. Let us make it clear in our minds that there is no genetic reformation brought to the plant. The plant is grown with a lot of care, giving it all the required necessities like air, water, sunlight and fertilizers in sufficient amount. Bonsai is not an artificial thing you are dealing with, but it is the liveliest in miniature form. HISTORY OF BONSAI Bonsai first appeared in China way back on a very small scale, with the name pun-sai, where one type of plant was grown in a single container. The basic idea came from the landscape of the imagination and images of fiery dragons and coiled serpents. The animal like trunks and root formation are till today highly paid. With Japan's adoption of many trademarks of China - BONSAI was not an exception. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333) Bonsai was introduced in Japan by Zen Buddhists. Japanese art and technique of dwarfing trees is called BONSAI. In Japanese BON means shallow and SAI means a plant. Over time, Bonsai was not limited to only Buddhist monasteries but it became a symbol of honour and prestige. Thus the ideas behind it also changed. For the Japanese, Bonsai represents a harmony between man, his soul and nature. In an ancient Japanese scroll written in Japan, it is translated to say, "To appreciate and find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity". It is up to an individual to take it positively or negatively. By the 14th century Bonsai was viewed from a broader perspective and modern form. Bonsai was brought indoors for display at special occasions and became an important part of Japanese life - they were no longer limited to the outdoors. In the 17th and 18th century the art of Bonsai became one of the most preferred arts in Japan. New methodologies were developed for the same. For the Japanese today, Bonsai are symbolic of the ideals and culture, being no longer a higher-class accessory but is an art enjoyed even by the working class. From Japan now Bonsai has spread throughout the world, constantly adopting new changes and advanced techniques.
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