Definition and History of Bonsai

To understand what Bonsai is, we need to learn more about its meaning and history. The Chinese started creating miniature landscapes over 2000 years ago. The further the reproduction was in size from the original, the more magically potent it was likely to be. A student could focus on its magical properties and gain access to them. During the Kamakura period (700 years ago) the Japanese copied the art-form and from that moment on, a distinctive Japanese style emerged. Instead of entire landscapes, the Japanese started growing individual trees. These trees are what we know as Bonsai today.