| The Japanese refined and developed Bonsai | | | | and pot in visual harmony. "Bonsai" simply |
| techniques and evolved the art form it is | | | | means "potted tree." But many of the really |
| today. For the Japanese, bonsai represents a | | | | fine specimens have been pruned for more than |
| fusion of strong ancient beliefs with the | | | | 100 years. |
| Eastern philosophies of the harmony between | | | | |
| man, the soul and nature. | | | | Requiring many years of devoted attention and |
| | | | care to produce, the bonsai extends beauty |
| The major aspects of Japanese bonsai, has not | | | | and expresses the significance of life. The |
| changed significantly over time. | | | | care involved in creating and shaping a |
| | | | bonsai is considered a form of meditation in |
| Bonsai initially originated in Egypt | | | | and of itself. |
| thousands of years ago and moved to China. | | | | |
| From China bonsai moved to Japan. Where the | | | | Over time, bonsai began to take on different |
| Japanese perfected the art of bonsai. | | | | styles, each which varied immensely from one |
| | | | another. Today, hardy as well as tropical |
| Japanese use azaleas to create magnificent | | | | indoor bonsai are trained in classic styles, |
| bonsai following years of pruning, wiring and | | | | including windswept, slanted trunk, rock |
| careful attention. The Japanese art of | | | | clinging, and forest. |
| bonsai, and its precursor, the Chinese art of | | | | |
| penjing, are rooted in the traditions of | | | | Bonsai are highly regarded as a symbol of |
| Asian culture. | | | | Japanese culture and ideals. Contrary to |
| | | | popular belief, bonsai are not tortured |
| The art of raising bonsai dwarfed potted | | | | trees. A bonsai may have areas of dead wood |
| trees has enabled the Japanese to admire | | | | to give an impression of age. There are |
| nature in an indoor setting. The art of | | | | several techniques available to the bonsai |
| bonsai, as developed in America, is much | | | | grower to increase the apparent age. |
| freer in concept and style than Japanese | | | | |
| bonsai. | | | | No longer exclusively an oriental art form, |
| | | | today bonsai is practiced by thousands of |
| The quality of a bonsai tree is measured on | | | | people around the world, on every continent. |
| how well it portrays nature in miniature | | | | The art of bonsai is the art of imitating the |
| form. A bonsai should have a well tapered | | | | spirit of nature. A bonsai industry of |
| trunk and have branches all around the tree | | | | considerable size exists in certain sections |
| to give the bonsai visual depth. The art of | | | | of Japan. |
| bonsai involves the bringing together of tree | | | | |