More than a majestic tree, the bonsai is a horticultural art in its own right. Originally from China, this potted plant is intimately linked to the history of Japan and continues to fascinate today through craftsmen of excellence and artists who have integrated it into a multitude of landscapes.
By definition, bonsai is a beautifully crafted potted tree. Its etymology is also divided into two parts: good (thin dish or bowl) and saï (a planted tree). While many associate bonsai with Japan, its origins are indeed Chinese.
From China to Japan via the Paris World Expo
If the cultivation of potted trees began in Egypt around 2700-2000 BC, it is necessary to go back to the 3rd century BC to discover the beginnings of the art of Chinese bonsai through paintings and poems. During the Han Dynasty (206-220), the Chinese gave an aesthetic appearance to potted trees. At the time, we do not speak of bonsai but penjing. Other names will be given throughout the history of this art. The monks then begin to create small miniature landscapes. Associated with spiritual, philosophical and artistic concepts, these small trees reflect the ideal nature and are considered as symbols of longevity and wisdom.
After the expatriation of monks in their archipelago during the Heian era (794 – 1185), the Japanese were inspired by this art and contributed to its international popularity. Stimulated by the advent of Zen Buddhism in the land of the rising sun, the art of bonsai is combined with meditation and the values of religion. Once reserved for the nobility and religious, in the seventeenth century, bonsai culture begins to democratize during the Edo period. It takes its present form and becomes an art in its own right.
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