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Japanese Scroll

Bonsai History

Bonsai is the practice of growing single tree in pots. This practice was wide spread in China over a thousand years before it was referred to as pun-sai.
This art had specific specimens that had little or sparse foliage and it had rugged or gnarled trunks that resembled dragons or birds.

Though it is a Chinese tradition, the bonsai trees were taken up by the Japanese between the years 1185 to 1333, that is the Kamakura period, this Chinese culture was taken there by the then fast spreading Zen Buddhism. The culture is thought to have been introduced into Japan in the AD 1195, though debatable. The mentioned time could however be accurate in that there is mention of it in a Japanese scroll attributed to that time.

When this Chinese tradition was introduced into Japan, it was refined much than it had been in its original country. The bonsai trees were confined within the Buddhist monks and monasteries, but later on they were allowed to represent prestige and honor. The Japanese ideals and philosophy of bonsai represent the ancient beliefs on the harmony of the nature, man and the soul. By 14th century, bonsai was highly refined and this means that it must have been in existence many years before.

The words written in the Japanese scroll stated that finding pleasure and appreciating the plants was to love deformity. The contents of the scroll is not really known, whether it is a negative or positive statement. The plant however has been known to be appreciated among the upper class of Japan during the Kamakura period. The Japanese elite used to display the plants on special shelves during special occasions but it was also part of their lives.

In the 17th and 18th century, Bonsai was refined to a higher understanding and a refinement of nature; at this time the containers used were deeper than those used these days. In maintaining the bonsai removal of the unimportant parts of the plant was done. The removal of the unwanted was very symbolic of the philosophy of the Japanese. At this time all the Japanese wanted to have these plants that were obtained from the wild and refined into art.

Over time, Bonsai began to take on different styles, Bonsai artists introduced other forms and fused it with elements in bonsai plantings e.g. rocks and accent plants.

In the mid-19th century, Japan the art was heard of by the rest of the world. Soon there were exhibitions in Vienna, London. In 1900 the Paris World Exhibition was a stepping stone for the world to know about the plant and the art itself.

The upsurge in the demand and the lack of naturally-forming plants led to commercial production of Bonsai by training young plants to grow like Bonsai. Skewers, wire and bamboo were used to train the plants. The Japanese capitalized on this art, opening nurseries dedicated to growth and export of bonsai trees.

Japanese regard Bonsai as a symbol of their culture and ideals, the art is no longer reserved for the upper-class.

The Japanese however focus on using traditional native species like maples, pines and azalea for their Bonsai. In other countries though, there is no certain set standard for the plant.

About the Author

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The Japanese Scroll $34.99 James Jacques Joseph Tissot The Japanese Scroll - Giclee Print

Japanese Woodblock, Lady with Scroll $14.99 Japanese Woodblock, Lady with Scroll - Premium Poster

Beauty Holding a Calendar Scroll for the Year of the Rat, Japanese Wood-Cut Print $49.99 Beauty Holding a Calendar Scroll for the Year of the Rat, Japanese Wood-Cut Print - Framed Art Print

The Scroll $23.88 The Scroll

The Dragon Scroll $12.99 In an adventure filled with highway bandits, unscrupulous politicians, and renegade monks, The Dragon Scroll introduces readers to the lively world of eleventh-century Japan and an irrepressible hero-Sugawara Akitada. On his first official assignment, Akitada-an impoverished nobleman and earnest young government clerk in the Ministry of Justice-is sent from the capital city on a nearly impossible mission to the distant province of Kazusa to discover why tax convoys are disappearing. In the politically murky world of the Japanese court, he has been set up to fail. Against the odds, the ever-resourceful Akitada, his elderly servant Seimei, and his impudent bodyguard Tora are determined to fulfill their mission and discover the truth in a town of dangerous secrets.

Ninja Scroll $12.71 Removed from the typical futuristic element of most Japanese animated adventures, this 1994 feature takes place in more of a sword-and-sorcery epic set in feudal Japan. Jubei Kipagami, a ninja mercenary, wanders the countryside in search of work. On his travels, he encounters Kagero, a female ninja whose poisoned blood causes her pale skin to be lethal to the touch. Jubei rescues the woman from Tessai, a creature made of rock. They later find that Tessai is one of the Eight Devils of Kimon, who are involved in a plot to overthrow the Shogun. A story of impossible love between Jubei and Kagero is somewhat interesting, but the true draw of Ninja Scroll is its action sequences. The dazzling swordplay of Japanese live-action samurai movies is not often seen in the animated genre, which tends more towards science fiction; however, this animated work has fight scenes in abundance. Although its content is too strong for children, adult fans of Japanese animation, samurai films, and fantasy should find it enjoyable. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

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Scroll $49.99 Scroll - Framed Art Print

Death Note: Kiras Wall Scroll $12.95 Light Yagami, the protagonist of Death Note, and Misa Amane, his devoted girlfriend, are the two "Kiras" ? a name derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "Killer." Also available is the "Rules" wall scroll.

Essence of Anime - Ninja Scroll $12.71 Removed from the typical futuristic element of most Japanese animated adventures, this 1994 feature takes place in more of a sword-and-sorcery epic set in feudal Japan. Jubei Kipagami, a ninja mercenary, wanders the countryside in search of work. On his travels, he encounters Kagero, a female ninja whose poisoned blood causes her pale skin to be lethal to the touch. Jubei rescues the woman from Tessai, a creature made of rock. They later find that Tessai is one of the Eight Devils of Kimon, who are involved in a plot to overthrow the Shogun. A story of impossible love between Jubei and Kagero is somewhat interesting, but the true draw of Ninja Scroll is its action sequences. The dazzling swordplay of Japanese live-action samurai movies is not often seen in the animated genre, which tends more towards science fiction; however, this animated work has fight scenes in abundance. Although its content is too strong for children, adult fans of Japanese animation, samurai films, and fantasy should find it enjoyable. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

Ninja Scroll - Widescreen $14.99 Removed from the typical futuristic element of most Japanese animated adventures, this 1994 feature takes place in more of a sword-and-sorcery epic set in feudal Japan. Jubei Kipagami, a ninja mercenary, wanders the countryside in search of work. On his travels, he encounters Kagero, a female ninja whose poisoned blood causes her pale skin to be lethal to the touch. Jubei rescues the woman from Tessai, a creature made of rock. They later find that Tessai is one of the Eight Devils of Kimon, who are involved in a plot to overthrow the Shogun. A story of impossible love between Jubei and Kagero is somewhat interesting, but the true draw of Ninja Scroll is its action sequences. The dazzling swordplay of Japanese live-action samurai movies is not often seen in the animated genre, which tends more towards science fiction; however, this animated work has fight scenes in abundance. Although its content is too strong for children, adult fans of Japanese animation, samurai films, and fantasy should find it enjoyable. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

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