The History of the Bonsai Tree

The history of the Bonsai Tree A visual chronology of the Japanese botanical art form. Origins in Chinese culture 603- 839 A.D. The art of Japanese bonsai trees originally derived from the Chinese art of penjing. Buddhist students who had been travelling between Japan and mainland China brought container plants with them. First appearance in literature Mention of a bonsai tree 970 A.D. appears in the first lengthy work of Japanese fiction, Utsobo Monogotari. Early bonsai artwork circa 1299 Recognisable bonsai symbols began to appear in handscroll paintings. Bonsai becomes more of a feature of Japanese culture Bonsai cultivation had begun to become more widespread by the turn of the 19th century and bonsai cultivation was becoming more popular at all levels of Japanese society. 18th century Classical bonsai art becomes more mainstream. Bonsai cultivation had begun to become more widespread by the turn of the 19th century and had become of interest to the public. 19th-20th century Bonsai trees and bonsai cultivation begins to make its way to the United States and Britain. Japanese dwarf trees were in the the Paris Expositions of 1878 and 1889, the Chicago Expo of 1893, the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904, the 1910 Japan-Britain Exhibition, Bonsai goes global Soldiers fighting in Japan in World War Two spark further interest in Late 20th bonsai cultivation century The rise of the Internet means that bonsai cultivation and interest in botany soars, as more people gain knowledge of the art form. 23