Bonsai
See also Bonsai CVS code management system for the piece of computer software.
Bonsai (盆栽, literally tray gardening) is the art of growing
trees and plants, kept small by skilled
pruning and formed to create an
aesthetic shape and the illusion of age.
History
\nThe art of bonsai originates from China over two thousand years ago, where it has been called penzai and written in the same Hanzi that gave rise to the Kanji above. \nIt was brought to Japan 700 years ago. \nBonsai spread to Korea during the Tang or Song Dynasty (the 7th - 13th century), and is now called Bunjae (분재).\nThe art is still practiced in China today, often under the name of penjing. As the Chinese art is intended for outdoor display the plants tend to be some what larger than seen in Japanese bonsai.
Cultivation
A bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant. It is kept small by shaping and root pruning. A properly maintained bonsai will outlive a full size tree of the same species. However, a bonsai needs much care, and an improperly maintained bonsai will probably die.
Artistry
In the art of bonsai a sense of aesthetics, care, and patience come together. The plant, the shaping and surface of the soil and the selected container come together to express "heaven and earth in one container" as the Japanese cliché has it. Three forces come together in a good bonsai: shin-zen-bi or truth, essence and beauty.
The usual plants used in Japan are varieties of pine, azalea, camellia, maple, beech, bamboo and plum. The plants are grown outdoors and brought in to the tokonoma at special occasions when they most evoke the current season. \n \nThe Japanese bonsai are meant to evoke the essential spirit of the plant being used: in all cases they must look natural and never show the intervention of human hands. Chinese penjing may more literally depict images of dragons or even be guided to resemble highly intricate Chinese characters, such as 壽, "longevity", in various styles, but usually cursive.
External links
\n* Bonsaibasics.com for beginners.\n* Allens Bonsai trees, pots, and tools.\n* http://www.bonsaiweb.com - with a lot of pictures\n* Craig Hunt's Bonsai Links.\n* http://www.bonsaisite.com \n* The Bonsai Guide.\n* Bonsai Club International.\n* Bonsai Forum.\n* Newsgroup rec.arts.bonsai\n* StarChat #bonsai IRC channel at 01:00 UTC time (on Tuesday).\n* Binary Bonsai.\n* Bonsai Wiki
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