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Bonsai
History
There are several references to plants
being kept in pots in Egypt and India in ancient times,
these were kept for decorative and medicinal reasons. The
first reference to what we now call Bonsai was in China
during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), where they created miniature
landscapes and trees that they called Penjing, which literally
translated means tray scenery.
One Chinese legend contends that it was in the Han Dynasty (206 BC -
220 AD) that an emperor created a landscape in his courtyard complete
with hills, valleys, rivers, lakes and trees that represented his entire
empire. He created the landscape so that he could gaze upon his entire
empire from his palace window. This landscape form of art was his alone
to possess. It was said that anyone else found in possession of even
a miniature landscape was seen as threat to his empire and put to death.
The earliest documented proof of bonsai was discovered in the tomb of
Prince Zhang Huai, who died in 706 during the Tang Dynasty. Two wall
paintings discovered in the tomb show servants carrying plants resembling
bonsai. In one of the paintings a servant is seen carrying a miniature
landscape and in the other painting a servant is shown carrying a pot
containing a tree.
Penjing in China enjoyed vigorous artistic development during the Song
Dynasty (960-1279) and by the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911),
the art had become very popular, and the first manuals appeared. With
increasing popularity, more commercial, folkloristic, and regionally
diverse streams of Penjing sprang up alongside the more sophisticated,
artistic forms. In addition to aesthetically refined Penjing, one could
find trees whose trunks had been coiled to represent dragons and animals,
or whose canopies depicted layers of clouds, or trees shaped to resemble
the strokes of fortuitous characters.
The
art of creating miniature trees probably reached
Japan during the Heian period(794-1191), during this
time Japan sent envoys to China to study arts, architecture,
language, literature, law and Buddhism. In so doing
the Japanese imported Chinese culture and arts on
a large scale. Called Bonsai (tree in a pot or tray)
in Japan, this art form was initially limited to
the elite noble class and did not start to become
popular until the Muromachi era in the 14th century,
jointly prospering with the green tea ceremony to
become part of Japanese culture
By the Edo era in the 16th century, every citizen of every class, from
the Daimyo (feudal lord) to the merchants, wouldn't hesitate at a chance
to enjoy Bonsai together, and several competitions for potters were held.
During this period the Japanese developed a passion for growing plants
and gardens and in this period Bonsai styles appear on prints and illustrations
along with life's events and landscapes. It is regarded that the Japanese
Bonsai arts reached their peak by the 18th century, and were regarded
very highly.
The Japanese went to great lengths to refine the art of Bonsai and a
lot of credit must go to these early masters, the refinements that they
developed have made Bonsai what it is today, and some consider that the
finest Bonsai are still being developed in Japan
While it is almost certain that Western man had in some small way been
exposed to Bonsai even as early as the 16th Century by sea traders and
missionaries, the earliest Bonsai to come to the west came from Japan
and China. The showing of Bonsai at Paris exhibitions in 1878, 1889,
1900 and the first major Bonsai exhibition held in London in 1909 increased
western interest in Bonsai. In the late 1800's at least 2 Japanese nurseries
had operations in America and a catalog from the S.M. Japanese Nursery
Company from 1904 indicates that over six hundred plants were auctioned
off over a three day period in New York City. In these early years many
westerners felt that the trees looked tortured and many openly voiced
their displeasure in the way the trees were being treated by Bonsai masters.
It wasn't until 1935 that opinions changed and Bonsai was finally classified
as an art in the west.
With the end of World War II, Bonsai started to gain in popularity in
the west with soldiers returning from Japan with bonsai in tow sparking
western interest in the art. The large Japanese-American population was
invaluable to Americans in this respect. Their knowledge in the art of
bonsai was of great interest to many Americans learning the art. Today,
bonsai are sold in department stores, garden centers, nurseries and many
others places. However, most of these are young cuttings and not the
true Bonsai produced by Bonsai masters. Most trees purchased today are
known as pre-bonsai and are for the most part are only used as a starting
point. Good quality Bonsai take many years to grow and develop and may
sometimes be bought from specialist nurseries or private collections.
Extensive
History
A
History of Bonsai and the Related Arts - by Robert
J. Baran
Other
History Links
History & Warmth
of Bonsai
Bonsai
in the United States - Bunabayashi Bonsai
Bonsai
Between History and Art
Dans
Bonsai Pages
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