Ultimate Bonsai Tree Guide:

In contrast to popular ideas, the word “bonsai ” not only refers to the Japanese word that means “potted plant”. Instead, it also refers to the art of the miniaturization of plants by growing them in small containers. This art involves various strategies for shaping, watering, and repotting miniaturized plants in various styles and sizes of pots.

The art of Bonsai originated in Asia, particularly in China. Bonsai started during the Han Dynasty, which is about two centuries ago. The art has invaded neighboring Asian countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. Since then, it has continued to achieve utmost acceptance and popularity around the globe.

Originally, the art of bonsai was a hobby for the wealthy. Based on historical narratives, bonsai creation was adapted by many wealthy and powerful families during the Tokugawa period in Japan. Bonsai became an essential part of landscape gardening and these plants were often referred to as “dwarf potted trees”.
In line with the notion that the bonsai was a hobby of the powerful, an old Chinese legend achieved popularity among its patrons.

According to the legend, an emperor during the Han Dynasty created a courtyard landscape that represented his whole empire. To represent trees, the emperor used bonsai plants. Based on the story, the emperor implemented a law that he should be the only possessor of a miniature landscape. So anyone else who creates or acquires a miniature plant will be put to death.

As of the moment, the earliest proof of a bonsai was discovered in 1972. In the tomb of Prince Zhang Huai from the Tang Dynasty, two wall paintings showed servants that carried bonsai plants. The first painting showed a servant that carried a miniature landscape while the other depicted a servant which carried a bonsai plant. According to historical narratives, Prince Zhang Huai died in 706 A.D.

The oldest living bonsai plants between 400-800 years old are in Happo-en. Happo-en is a private restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. Despite the fact that the bonsai is mostly attributed to the Japanese, it should be noted that the art was only brought to the country by the Buddhist monks during the Heian period (794 - 1191A.D.).

Bonsai art reached the western part of the globe in the 1800s. The bonsai was first publicly introduced in the western world during the Third Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1878. In 1909, the first major exhibit that featured bonsai plants was conducted in London. At first, bonsais were viewed by westerners as tortured plants. However, that notion changed over the years and bonsai was finally accepted as a popular form of living art in 1935.