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The following article is from a series of Japanese gardening related articles, tips, videos and information about growing bonsai plants …

Bonsai plants can offer so much more to you than simply a beautiful decoration. Granted, the unique beauty of bonsai plants is truly a sight to behold. However, they also offer serenity in a disorderly world. Just as the ancient peoples of yesterday cultivated these amazing little trees and gained from it the benefit of peace of mind, so too can the modern day creators of bonsai art turn a creative pursuit into a stress relieving situation.

The history of the bonsai tree began in early China, during the Han Dynasty, nearly 2000 years ago. Trees were first pruned to their miniature size so that their trunks would bear a similarity to various objects, such as animals, dragons or birds. Many myths and legends still exist surrounding the gnarled trunks of bonsai trees. Today, however, the bonsai trees are mainly trimmed so that their foliage takes priority over any bark images. These are two of the bonsai art forms that are valued in the culture of today’s bonsai society.

Over many years, Japan and China began to integrate aspects of their unique cultures together and the bonsai tree was one of the many things that was incorporated into the highly cultured country of Japan. Initially, only the Buddhist monks engaged in this art form, yet eventually, the aristocracy took up the bonsai art and it became a status symbol for a long time. After this time and for many, many years afterwards, the art of bonsai lay exclusively within the Japanese culture. As years passed and Japan began to open up its doors to other countries, bonsai art became highly sought after in North America for its serenity and beauty.

Bonsai trees have only been known in the North American continent since the early 1900s. However, time has passed and now, gardening enthusiasts all over the planet have the opportunity to cultivate this art form in their own gardens. Bonsai trees have a very significant and important history for the countries of Japan and China. As the planet becomes smaller, so too do the cultural symbols that define a country. Now these items can be used today to connect gardeners all over the world.

For more resources on caring for bonsai trees, go here: Bonsai Gardening