The Miniaturized Beauty Of Bonsai And Its Tradition
Bonsai originates in China and goes back to more than a thousand year. During the golden era of bonsai, it was known as "Punsai" that is the growing of single specie of trees in a small container. The earliest countries to adopt the growing of bonsai are the Chinese and Japanese but gradually spread to other western countries such as America and Europe. The Cultivation Of Bonsai In China The cultivation of bonsai in China is known as "Penjing" and as folklores have it, the Han emperor of China envisioned a glorious courtyard that has all the trees, valley, lakes, rivers and the hills that will be enclosed into his huge empire. In order to cater to the wishes of the emperor, the royal subjects started grooming miniaturized trees to build the courtyard that the emperor has envisioned. The Han emperor at that time was so pleased with the miniaturized gardens and took so much pride that he considered the bonsai as one of his better possession. The pride that the Han emperor has with his bonsai plants bothered on obsession that he decreed no one in his kingdom was to groom such miniaturized plants. Folklores have it that the death penalty will be issued to anyone if they are caught planting such bonsai plants. Ever since, the cultivation of bonsai trees is considered as something valuable for the generations of people in the kingdom. Given such high status, the cultivation of bonsai trees is considered only within the circle of elites. It is difficult to verify the truthfulness of the folklores of the Han emperor but what we can confirmed is that the cultivation of bonsai trees are the legacies that China has contributed to the world. Bonsai trees are still considered one of the most treasured hobbies throughout the whole of China. Culture Of Japanese Bonsai The Japanese was especially prominent in the cultivation of bonsai and together with the Chinese; they are leaders in creating miniature trees. The Japanese monk was introduced to the art of making bonsai during the Heian period from 794 to 1191. The Zen Buddhist was responsible for the flourishing art of bonsai by cultivating them in their monasteries employing the skill of the Chinese. The art of bonsai spread to the royal family and they started grooming the miniature plants in their homes, raising the status of the bonsai in the Japanese culture. Even till today, the bonsai is the symbol of prestige and honor among the rich and powerful in Japan.
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