Artistic Elements in Bonsai Design

The Japanese art of bonsai has been practised for at least 700-800 years, and was depicted on ancient Japanese scroll paintings from that period. In fact, it may have been practised even earlier in China, where their comparable art form is known as penjin.

As a natural art form, a bonsai tree is the ever changing result of man's design and skill in adapting and working with nature. Traditionally grown in the smaller, more crowded spaces of the urban Japanese environment, a bonsai tree forms a miniature landscape, producing an illusion of serenity, space and harmony with nature.

Although popular bonsai styles have varied through time, from the most bizarre shapes possible to the current preference for more naturalistic traditional favourites, there are also certain formal classifications based on shape and size.

Standard Bonsai Tree Sizes

The size of a bonsai tree is a key feature of its classification, and is usually listed as one of the defining features of bonsai trees for sale.

• If it is smaller than 6 inches, it is in the miniature category.
• Between 6 to 12 inches, it is described as small.
• Medium is the term for bonsai trees between 13 to 24 inches.
• Bonsai trees taller than 24 inches are categorised as large.

Line

The line and angle of the trunk is another important feature used in classifying bonsai styles. Ideally, the tree's height should be 6 times the width of the trunk at the base, with the trunk tapering to the apex.

A perfectly straight trunk means the tree has been grown in the 'formal upright' (chokkan) style.

A slight slant or curve in the line of the trunk changes this to the 'informal upright (moyogi) style, while an angle so pronounced that the apex is no longer over base means the tree is growing in the slanting (shakan) style.

If the trunk starts off growing upwards and then bends over, this is the semi cascade (han-kengai) style, which becomes the cascade (kengai) style if the cascade is so pronounced that the apex of the trunk is lower than the top of the container.

Appearance of Maturity using Texture

The trunks of bonsai trees are sometimes twisted to mimic severe weathering and stunting that could have occurred in the wild.

Trunks may also be artificially distressed by scarring or removing strips of bark to create textural variations that give an impression of age.

Composition and Perspective

Bonsai plantings almost always use and odd number of trunks, whether it is the typical single tree, or multiple plantings forming a miniature forest. When more than one bonsai tree is planted, they will usually all be different sizes, arranged with biggest at front if a panoramic perspective is desired, or with the tallest trees at the back if a close up perspective is the intended effect. There should also be a space left in the pot, to add some drama to the landscape.

Colour

The colour of the bark and leaves is largely determined by the type of tree that is planted, and of course there are also flowering bonsai trees, with flowers of different colours and sizes.

Form

Since the mid 19th century, the most desirable overall shape for a bonsai tree has been the scalene triangle, to create the appearance of asymmetrical balance.

The three points of the triangle are also symbolic, with the lowest point representing the earth, the mid point representing man and the highest point representing heaven.

Unity

Above all, these artistic features of line, proportion, balance, texture and appearance of maturity should combine to produce a unified effect of serenity and harmony between man and nature.

Bonsai Tree Photo Gallery

Click to see my new gallery of photos of bonsai trees in San Diego's Japanese Friendship Garden.