| While the origins of how to create and nurture a | | | | during the process of cultivation, the two most popular |
| bonsai tree come from China the actual name of | | | | techniques used to create beautiful bonsai trees are |
| these potted trees comes from Japan, in fact the | | | | called jin and shari. The first method which is known as |
| word bonsai refers to a small potted tree. The | | | | "jin" consists of removing the bark from an entire tree |
| cultivation of such beautiful trees was actually started | | | | branch in order to create the illusion of a snag of |
| by wealthy Chinese people who lived during the Han | | | | deadwood, the physical appearance of the tree |
| Dynasty which was famous because it lasted for | | | | changes as this technique is applied. This technique |
| about 400 years in many of the arts flourished during | | | | which is called "shari" involves stripping bark from |
| this period. | | | | areas of the trunk which emulates the look of natural |
| The Art of miniaturizing this beautiful trees was passed | | | | scarring which is normally acquired by trees after it |
| on from generation to generation and continued in | | | | loses one of its limbs or its stroke by a lightning. |
| other countries such as Korea, Japan and Vietnam. | | | | Not every type of seed can be used in order to |
| The process of miniaturizing these plans is actually | | | | create a beautiful looking bonsai tree, the best seeds |
| very intricate due to the fact that they are not naturally | | | | used to create these trees are: Trident maple seed, |
| small, in other words the seeds and plants used to | | | | hedge maple, field maple, Japanese maple, vine maple, |
| create bonsai trees are not genetically dwarf, instead | | | | red maple, Barberry, strawberry tree, Bougainvillea, |
| their size is modified through pruning and what they | | | | Cedar, Hinoki Cypress, Fig, ginkgo, olive tree, etc. |
| use of wires. | | | | The list shown above only includes a few of the many |
| Literature which describes the entire principle of a | | | | types of seed and trees which are actually perfect for |
| miniature garden was developed by the Japanese | | | | bonsai tree cultivation and the appearance will |
| monk Kokan Shiren, these principles included what is | | | | obviously change from one type of tree to another. |
| called bonseki which is the principle of creating | | | | Due to the many physical differences between one |
| miniature landscapes on black lacquer with the use of | | | | tree to another those who have adopted the creation |
| stones, pebbles and other materials. | | | | of bonsai trees as a pastime have also decided to |
| The stick and yet beautiful shapes of traditional bonsai | | | | create entire miniature gardens using different types of |
| trees are actually achieved through techniques applied | | | | bonsai trees. |