| To bonsai enthusiasts around the world, the art and | | | | that are part of the artistic dimension of bonsai. |
| discipline is much more than growing small trees in a | | | | The artistic dimension of Japanese bonsai is that which |
| pot. Although the Japanese word "bonsai" literally | | | | will ultimately create the form, the living art that is |
| means plant (sai) in a small basin (bon), the mere | | | | pleasing to the eye, and which creates, in miniature, a |
| placement of a small tree in a pot does not make a | | | | replica of a natural tree. Like a sculptor that can see a |
| bonsai. | | | | statue inside the block of granite, a bonsai artist must |
| Japanese bonsai is three-dimensional. It is the union of | | | | look inside the bonsai tree to understand it's essence, |
| horticulture, art, and philosophy, the third dimension being | | | | and then train and shape the tree into form. The forms |
| something that transcends words. With all dimensions | | | | can take a variety of styles which are traditional, |
| of bonsai taken as a whole it is both a gift from, and a | | | | including the formal (chokkan) and informal (moyogi) |
| connection with, the universal wholeness, the oneness | | | | upright styles, the slanting style (shakan), the |
| that cannot be separated into parts, of which both | | | | semi-cascade style (han-kengai), the cascade style |
| man and nature are now, and forever will be, a part of. | | | | (kengai), and the windswept style (fukinagashii). These |
| Through bonsai we learn the essence and dignity of | | | | styles are the result of the bonsai artist applying and |
| life. Bonsai cannot exist in a single or dual dimension. | | | | utilizing a variety of techniques which include pruning, |
| Created or existing in a state that is other than | | | | pinching, wiring, defoliating, and grafting. |
| three-dimensional, bonsai is something else; it is not | | | | The philosophical dimension of bonsai can be personal, |
| bonsai. | | | | or it can be shared. I have read that all true bonsai |
| The horticulture of Japanese bonsai is a learned skill. A | | | | artists are philosophers first. Some relate the |
| successful bonsai gardener must first be a | | | | philosophy of Taoism and Buddhism to bonsai, while |
| knowledgeable and successful gardener. He must | | | | others relate it to Zen philosophy. Regardless of which |
| learn and understand the physiology of plants. He must | | | | philosophy you subscribe to, remember that bonsai is |
| understand the function of a tree's roots, it's trunk, | | | | not bonsai when the third dimension is absent from the |
| branches, and skin. He must understand the function of | | | | work. |
| leaves, and the processes of photosynthesis, | | | | People from all over the world who have grown to |
| transpiration, and respiration. Finally he must understand | | | | love Japanese bonsai have developed a broader |
| the seasonal changes that bring about changes in the | | | | appreciation of the beauty of nature, and in doing so |
| growth cycle of plants. All of this knowledge must be | | | | have either applied, or learned, a philosophy of life. |
| brought together in order to grow strong and healthy | | | | Fortunately, even people who don't fully understand the |
| plants. And, without this understanding of horticulture it | | | | three-dimensional nature of bonsai can still be moved |
| would be difficult, if not impossible, to apply techniques | | | | by its beauty. |