Bonsai is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology. The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).
This one is a beaut. I have tinkered with bonsai but never mastered the art.
ReplyDeletePretty. Guess I have only ever seen cedar like trees grown this way. Now I learn that the name actually comes from the tray like device they are grown in. I think they would take a lot of tending to get into this shape?
ReplyDeleteI found your comment about the origin of the name fascinating and did some research but couldn't find anything similar. Instead this is what I found: The common English name of "hornbeam" derives from the hardness of the woods (likened to horn) and the Old English "beam", a tree (cognate with German "Baum"). Since it is a deciduous tree I'll have to return to see it in full autumn bloom; I found an image of a bonsai hornbeam on the web and the leaves do indeed turn a brilliant autumn gold.
DeleteThis is what I found :)
DeleteBonsai (盆栽?, lit. plantings in tray, from bon, a tray or low-sided pot and sai, a planting or plantings, About this sound pronunciation (help·info))[1] is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. Similar practices exist in other cultures, including the Chinese tradition of penjing from which the art originated, and the miniature living landscapes of Vietnamese hòn non bộ. The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology.
"Bonsai" is a Japanese pronunciation of the earlier Chinese term penzai. A "bon" is a tray-like pot typically used in bonsai culture.[2] The word bonsai is often used in English as an umbrella term for all miniature trees in containers or pots. This article focuses on bonsai as defined in the Japanese tradition.
Now I "get it!" I thought you were referring to the tree specimen but you researched the origin of the name "bonsai"--good to know, now I don't have to research for that bit of information. We make a good team!
DeleteThis bonsai is perfectly tiered Kate, gorgeous. I have two that I've had for over twenty five years..still in the original pots.
ReplyDeleteBonsai? The only time I ever used it was when I jumped into a swimming pool. What's that all about?
ReplyDeleteOops..I apologize...Didn't mean to get too technical. It's a beautiful picture Kate :)
ReplyDeleteliving art!
ReplyDeleteI love to look at these trees. They amaze me.
ReplyDeleteI love them but could never keep one. It wouldn't survive.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked these but have never bought one. I read your explanation of "hornbeam," but what does "Korean" have to do with anything?d
ReplyDeleteThere certainly have been lots of interest in these trees on this post! Here is the closest answer I could find: Rock Hornbeam Bonsai Tree, scientific name Carpinus turczaninovii, is native to Korea, China and Japan. It is a deciduous tree, meaning it sheds the leaves annually.
DeleteGreat tree for outdoors or indoors. Rock Hornbeam is used a lot for bonsai styles where roots are exposed.
I love bonsai. That's usually the display I head for at county fairs (I missed seeing them this year - drat!). I've seen all sorts of "trees" in this form, all of them beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a fan of the Bonsai Tree. They have a peacefulness about them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Kate. Much appreciated. And you're right about cell phones. Do you remember the days when you liked to take a drive because you didn't have to worry about the darn phone ringing! Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end and then some clown, made us a cell phone!
ReplyDeleteARE YOU FAMILIAR OF BONSAI PLANT?
ReplyDeleteI am a new member of the society, and i have lack of knowledge on how to train my bonsai materials,
And finally i found this site, http://pbsdumalinao.weebly.com my doubts, problem was answered..
And i was very thankful.