Bonsai Guide
盆栽ガイド
In summer 2018 Japan House hosted two drop-in sessions where Peter Warren explained the art of bonsai cultivation, while demonstrating with live trees. Warren talked through his own experience as a bonsai professional, from his time as an apprentice in Japan, while giving an outline of bonsai history, tree varieties and styles, and practical maintenance and care.
Regarded as a horticultural art form, the definition of bonsai can be found in the etymology of the word itself. ‘bon’ (盆) means tray or container and ‘sai’ (栽) planting. The main difference between growing a house plant and a bonsai is that bonsai are intentionally minimized and shaped through pruning and training. Although premium bonsai take many years to develop and perfect, getting started on your own bonsai is a relatively simple process.
Read on for Peter Warren's suggestions for growing your own bonsai.