The art of Bonsai dates back
many, many years. First records of this
ancient art appear on old scrolls from
China. The monks, shoguns and other
travellers took the art to Japan where a
more stylized form of the art has developed.
The aim of Bonsai is to imitate in a
‘miniature’ form, trees as they appear in
nature.
The majestic stand alone tree, a grove of trees
around a creek, a pine tree from the mountains,
knarled and scared trees that by their
appearance alone, tell of their life ravaged by
drought, storms or defying the elements of
nature to battle for survival.
The difference between a tree in a pot and the
art of Bonsai is the training that goes into
creating the shape of the tree, the harmony of
the tree and its pot; the landscaping of group
plantings to imitate a scene from nature.
The sizes of Bonsai can range from being able to
be held on the palm of your hand to trees that
need 3 – 4 persons to move (about 1–1 ½ metres
tall). Most popular sizes range from 30cm – 90cm
