Many of us associate the fascinating and ancient art of bonsai exclusively with Japan. The true story begins more than a thousand years ago in China. This should not come as a surprise given China’s love of nature and all things floral.
The first Bonsai trees, according to legend, were from an ancient Emperor of the Han dynasty. He created a miniature landscape, desiring to mimic his entire empire in a single garden. He was said to be extremely proud of his creation and did not want others trying to replicate it.
There are many murals and manuscripts from around 600AD that depict pictures of small trees in pots, many historians however believe that even further than that.
Pen Jing
The practice of creating scenery with rocks and miniature rocks is known in China as Pen Jing. Pen Jing translated into English means scenery in a pot. Pen, (shallow bowls), which are elaborately decorated and made out of natural materials have been made in China for over 5000 years. During the bronze age, they were remade in bronze and used for religious ceremonies. The bowls were used for the miniature landscapes. The idea was that recreating nature in miniature form would allow students to get closer to the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). Miniature recreations of nature were thought to hold a magical potency. The more miniature the scenery was from the original the more magical it was considered to be.
Pen Sai
Along with Pen Jing came pen sai. Pen Sai, like the Japanese word bonsai, means a tree planted in a container. Pen sai and Bonsai are the horticultural practice of placing trees in pots and keeping them miniature. Initially in China, the trees used for pensai were all trees which had been growing naturally, taken and replanted in containers. The first known collection of pen sai trees are thought to have been strangely shaped, unrefined and not aesthetically pleasing like the bonsai we admire today.
These miniatures were still considered sacred, despite being bent and without form. They were believed to have an exuberance of spirit and personality. There are a variety of opinions on what the shapes were believed to represent, however, they are often likened to yoga poses and thus longevity. Initially, pen Jing and pen sai were practiced only by the wealthy and the elite in Chinese society. They were often gifted to the aristocracy of Chinese society.
The Chinese pen Sai trees continue to look bolder, they have a lively and more playful look about them. In Japan, they are much more formalized and refined.
Japanese Bonsai
It’s clear that pen sai and was conceived in China, but many would say that it was when the practice reached Japan, that it really began transforming into the beautiful art form that it is today. Japan provided the perfect conditions for Bonsai to flourish, its soil, environment, and love of art all contributed to the growth of Bonsai art.
Bonsai in Japan was originally enjoyed by the wealthy and elite members of society. They held prestige among the aristocracy and became symbols of wealth and honor. When first introduced, owners would put their trees on display in outdoor gardens. Soon the fashion of creating special shelves in suitable indoor locations began and Bonsai moved inside the home as well as out. The art of training and pruning to make the forms more aesthetically pleasing had not yet begun, this was to come later.
There are thought to be many bonsai references throughout history, but the first extant evidence comes from a picture scroll named the kasuga gongen genki by Takashina Takakane. It is dated 1309. Around the same time Yoshido Kenko, a famous satirist stated: “To appreciate and find beauty in curiously potted trees is to find love in deformity.”
Bonsai and Buddhism
The Kamakura period (12th Century) saw the introduction of Zen Buddhism to Japan. The Japanese were fascinated by all things Chinese and thus the Buddhist monks who had migrated to Japan and had witnessed the small dwarfed trees in containers in China, introduced the practice of pen sai to Japan.
They believed that cultivating these miniature trees and planting them in containers was an art form which was meditative, reflective and a harmonious way to be at one with nature. According to historians Buddhist monks were the main teachers in Japan for many years, bringing the practices of art and medicine as well as Bonsai to the Japanese people.
The practice of Bonsai became encompassed in the Buddhist philosophy of Zen. Whilst Zen is part of the religious practice of Buddhism, many people today embrace the Zen philosophy without practicing the religion. The natural elements combined with the human touch can provide hours of meditative practice allowing the artist to be at one with nature.
To be in tune with Zen there are three virtues required for successful Bonsai horticulture. The first is truth, the second goodness and the third is beauty. The tree should be guided by human hands. This should not be obvious to an admirer. Bonsai should also always be planted slightly off center so as not to block the middle point which in Buddhism is believed to be the point where heaven and earth meet.
Following these principles, the trees should have a significant impact on the state of the artist. The daily care for the Bonsai should become a meditative and reflective time for the practitioner.
Wabi Sabi
Understanding the Japanese approach requires some understanding of the approach they take to life, derived from the Buddhist teachings is the concept of wabi-sabi. This is centered around transience and imperfection. Through the art of Bonsai, the respect for this philosophy can be expressed. Trees are displayed in all seasons, garnering admiration when bare as well as blooming. Features such as deadwood highlight both the passage of time and imperfection.
The principle of wabi-sabi can be found in other traditional Japanese arts such as origami, flower arranging, and tea ceremonies. You can learn more about Wabi Sabi in our Symbolism of Bonsai article.
Bonsai Goes Mainstream
In 1383 Japanese play writer, Zeami Motokiyo introduced the idea of Bonsai trees to the mainstream. Motokiyo wrote a play called “Hachi no Ki“ (The Potted Trees). The play is centered around a poor samurai, who burned his last Bonsai in order to provide comfortable accommodations for a travelling monk.
By the 1600s the Japanese style of bonsai began to develop and evolve more and the ideal of stripping back the tree to remove all non essential parts was born. Pruning became an essential part of creating an aesthetically pleasing tree. This practice was a reflection of the overall philosophy of the Japanese who believe that minimalism is best.
It is important to note that Bonsai are not cultivated and nurtured for any other reason than contemplation, admiration and a method of connecting to nature, they are not intended for the provision of fruits or medicines.
Medieval Bonsai
As time passed and the medieval period came, the arts began to peak in Japan, Bonsai became more and more popular spreading to the people and finally transcending class and wealth, it was no longer an artistic expression solely for the aristocracy.
The massive surge in the popularity of this art led to their artificial cultivation. Until this point, Bonsai had continued to come from dwarfed trees, removed from the wild and planted in containers.
The practice was firmly implanted into Japanese culture and remains so today.
The years that would follow would see the news of these fascinating little potted trees spread throughout other parts of the world. In 1604 the Chinese immigrants who had settled in the Philippines were known to have grown small ficus trees onto pieces of coral. Many travelers documented having seen dwarf potted trees in both China and Japan. By the late 1700s Japan was exhibiting their Bonsai and holding competitions.
Bonsai in the West
Bonsai’s Western origin begins in the 17th century, one of the few lucky Europeans allowed to enter and settle in Japan was German Physician, Engelbert Kaempfer, after spending a significant amount of time in Japan, he wrote a book called “The History of Japan” It was one of the most respected works on Japan for many years after it was written. In his book he describes the dwarfed trees, planted in pots. He also talks about the value placed on old or crooked trees. The art of Bonsai places substantial store on the tree looking mature.
Knowledge of the art form was spreading to the west and in 1806 Queen Charlotte was gifted her own bonsai. In 1868, after the Meiji revolution Japan was ready to open up to the world. It became a popular country for travelers. Many of whom were fascinated by the little miniature potted trees that they would see. The Meiji Emperor was passionate about Bonsai and encouraged his government and staff to take an interest. He displayed Bonsai both inside and outside his grand palace.
In the late 1800s renowned European cities held their own Bonsai exhibitions. The Japanese miniature trees first featured in 1876 in the Philadelphia Exposition, then two years later in the Paris exposition, followed by London and Vienna.
Although there was an increase in interest in Bonsai and its popularity was rising, it would be thirty years before Bonsai would be understood and classified as an art in the Western world.
The first written works in Europe was published in 1902 and written in French, the first to be published in English was in 1940 by Yoshimoto and would become known as the Bonsai Bible of the western world.
Commercial Bonsai
Bonsai continued to evolve throughout history, and some artists began to think of the commercial possibilities. In 1910 they started to use bamboo, wire, and other training techniques to train young trees. Most Bonsai were wired with simple steel wire but certain special bonsai were wired with expensive copper wire.
Nurseries specifically for Bonsai trees were born and trees were grown and trained which would suit other climates in far-off parts of the world. The development continued with artists learning to grow bonsai from seeds, saplings, and cuttings. Japanese bonsai specialists tend to love their traditional varieties of Bonsai. Those outside Japan appear to enjoy a little more variety and novelty in their creations.
By the year 1940 there were around 150 different Bonsai species which were being shipped out of Japan to be sold in both America and Europe.
In 1992 Bonsai came to the internet with the creation of the first website dedicated to all things Bonsai. Since then many enthusiasts have joined and the internet has provided a new way to share information, to hold discussions and even to buy and sell Bonsai trees.
The art of Bonsai continues to be refined as Japanese masters pass down their knowledge from a lifetime of cultivating Bonsai. The refinements are brought over to the west with teachers and enthusiasts who travel abroad and return ready to share the knowledge. A Bonsai tree, when cared for properly, can live for hundreds if not thousands of years and many are passed down as family heirlooms.
Ancient Bonsai Trees
The oldest living Bonsai is in the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Italy and is estimated to be over 1000 years old, it is currently the centerpiece in the museum.
In Omiya, Japan there is a 1000-year-old Juniper, kept in the Mansei-en nursery, which has allowed visitors since 1925. In the same nursery, there is a 700-year-old Shimpaku Juniper.
The oldest known bonsai in the United States is five-needle pine, currently nearing 400 years old, it is displayed in the US national arboretum. It was gifted to the United States in 1976.
Now a worldwide phenomenon the refined art of Japanese Bonsai is practiced in over 90 countries. Interestingly books on bonsai care have been published in 26 different languages. Despite having originated in its crude form in China, the growth and practice of Bonsai as the world knows it now will forever be ingrained in the culture, traditions and history of Japan.
Check out our list of The Oldest Bonsai Trees in the World.