Bonsai For Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
I have admired Bonsai trees for many years, these trees are a fascinating form of art. Bonsai dates back more than a thousand years and originates from Japan, and it came after Penjing a similar practice from China that dates back to 600AD. The Japanese added their cultural touches though, to this.
The Japanese pronunciation of penzai is “Bonsai. The “bon” part means the tray-like container normally used to grow Bonsai. Bonsai in English is used many times to cover all miniature trees grown in pots or containers. This information will explain the truth about this Japanese art.
Bonsai provides a contemplative experience for those who view the results and for the gardener it is an enjoyable, creative activity. However, compare to other types of plant cultivation, Bonsai is not meant to produce food, medicinal herbs or be in large gardens for landscaping purposes. The art of Bonsai is about cultivating trees over a long period of time, while shaping them in a special way to keep them small. You can even have more than one tree in the container.
The Japanese have the belief that through shaping the trees with their hands and personal creativity that they enhance the natural beauty of the trees. Trees that only grow in their natural way often look crude. Only when humans form them into unique shapes do they have the ability to inspire an emotional reaction from the viewer. This is interpreted loosely from “The Tale of the Hollow Tree” written by Utsubo Monogatari in 970AD.
Bonsai for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
Bonsai for Self-Discovery Insight 1. Each Bonsai is unique, but there are some things that all of them have in common. Experts can often distinguish which Bonsai master has shaped the tree, even when it is completely different from the others.
This is not unlike what an art expert does when analyzing paintings or the way one knows who has trained an athlete by the way he performs in his or her sport, because the personality of his or her coach or trainer shows through in how he or she plays the game.
Bonsai for Self-Discovery Insight 2. All Bonsais need a pot or tray in which to grow. There are many different types of containers that will work, but the best results come when the tree is harmonious with its pot or tray. The tree fit must be ideal in the container so both compliment the other. The selection of the container needs to be given some thought.
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You can move a mature Bonsai to another container, but you may stress out the plant, so it must be performed with great care. The Bonsai container is similar to our house that includes places, things and people. We develop best when we are in harmony with our home.
The root system of Bonsai trees are hidden underneath the pot’s soil. The roots must grow deep and strong for the tree to properly grow and thrive. The roots provide all the nutrients to the rest of the tree. Roots that are weak could cause the tree to shrivel and die.
A tree that has strong roots can repair itself in the event it suffers an injury or other trauma. Humans on the other hand, have a certain way of thinking, believing and a set of values as their roots. When a human’s roots are strong, personal growth follows.
Bonsai for Self-Discovery Insight 3. The Bonsai’s trunk needs to grow strong and sturdy, with a bit of flexibility. Without the flexibility, the trunk could snap in a breeze. The tree’s branches are supported by the trunk and it also receives all of its nutrients through the trunk from the roots that also provide needed energy for the tree’s leaves.
Most people will notice the trunk of the Bonsai first, as it is where the artistry of this craft begins. However, the appearance or form of the tree’s trunk is less important than its purpose. It shows the health of the tree, as your fitness level shows your health. Numerous branches cannot be supported without the trunk being in the proper condition.
Bonsai for Self-Discovery Insight 4. The Bonsai’s leaves and branches are the best part of this type of tree, as they show the talent of the person who shaped the tree. They range from short to tall, sparse to wide and crooked to straight, or any combination of these features.
The shape should complement the tree’s basic nature, but also be a representation of the artist’s personality who has pruned and shaped it. When the branches are not maintained and pruned correctly it will grow in an unattractive manner instead of into a pleasing shape. The branches and leaves are similar to your habits, behaviors and actions.
Carefully prune the tree of the unwanted bits and maintain the rest properly. You do not have to let branches fill in all the spaces, as a bit of room is also nice. Concentrate on the tree’s main branches before moving on to the other ones.
Remember, it takes patience to grow a Bonsai, when you take this art up for a hobby. Some people miss the point and start off with a mature tree. The true enjoyment of Bonsai is the growing of it from the start.
