By Hannah Bradley
In Japan, bonsai trees are more than just a hobby, they are a work of art. The Japanese have been perfecting and cultivating these little wonder trees for many centuries.
History
The first Bonsai trees were known as penzai, or little trees. They appeared in China in 265 A.D. during the Jin Dynasty. For centuries, the art of bonsai was limited to the wealthy aristocrats in Japan.
Cultivation
Bonsai trees can be created by pot confinement of almost any woody stemmed shrub or tree. The shrub must be perennial and produce branches, which are pruned to stay small.
Techniques
Bonsai trees are cultivated through techniques such as grafting, clamping, wiring and pruning. The Japanese will prune and cultivate the Bonsai as long as it lives.
Styles
Bonsai trees come in a variety of styles, including literati, formal, cascade, over the rock and slant. The styles depend on how each Bonsai grows and how it is pruned.
Display
Bonsai trees are displayed in an arrangement similar to a traditional Japanese landscape scene.
About the Author:
Hannah Bradley is a freelance writer with 12 years of experience. In addition to writing for Demand Studios, she writes for several online sites including Associated Content and Constant Content. Her articles have appeared on Ehow and Helium. Bradley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
