The Wonderment and Mystery of Bonsai

Since the early part of the century bonsai art has been exclusive to the people of Japan especially to the elite class or those belonging in the upper class of society. The phrase bonsai is a Japanese phrase meaning to plant in a tray or planting tray. It is the earlier Japanese term that the Chinese coined for their term penzai. Although the Japanese and the Chinese differ from their expression of this art, the Chinese uses this kind of planting to depict their own culture and understanding of nature.

The Japanese brought this artwork to China in the early part of the century when they conduct trade, for education and or business purposes. These kinds of trees were given as gifts to emperors, or people belonging in the highest echelon of society. Thus bonsai was introduced to China as another form of art which they embraced given their own style and understanding.

Chinese bonsai or penzai shows images of dragons, serpents, and or lions which depicts their own culture and history. Although the main purpose or reason of bonsai growing is to give aesthetic reverence to the viewer wherein one has the reason to contemplate on the beauty of nature that man has changed into an art wherein it can be preserved for centuries in order for other generation to see and appreciate.

The bonsai mystery has always captivated many people up until this time on the skilful way of preserving plants particularly a tree to miniature like designs unique to all and to the growers’ interest. This unique art, bonsai, has been around mankind for centuries and has been regarded as an art preserved through time.

Indeed man’s way of showing his ideals through art is indeed deep and we cannot quite explain the way man has changed the way of nature in order to produce a work that is not only original, classical and mystique to all who views it. Man’s ideas and perseverance as well as its patience in doing this kind of work which holds a mystique kind of beauty to those who see it is still a mystery to behold. Planting in a natural way has been the way that most of us would do it but to those who have an eye and understanding of art would create a different kind of style and steps in the natural thing of planting.

With this the people that started it are somehow industrious because they hold such a great patience to produce such a wonderful works of art. This indeed will always be remembered from generations to generations.