Bonsai is the Japanese term for “plants in a tray”; it is based on the word bon which is a tray like pot. The art is based on ‘an earlier meditation and self cultivation practice of Taoism called penzai, which means “tray scenery”.

The main distinction between the two styles is bonsai focuses on the tree and tray, where as penzai is designed to create (or recreate) an entire scene, whether a mountain, plains, seaside etc… all contained within the small tray, with the tree(s) only being one component of the overall scene, rather than the focal point as in bonsai. The art of bonsai came about when Buddhist monks and Imperial diplomats returned to Japan from China and brought with them many examples of the Taoist art of penzai. The National Taoism Examiner will address this connection in future articles on bonsai and penzai.

You can learn this wonderful meditative and contemplative art by attending workshops led by masters of the tradition. This weekend (Sun. Jan. 20th 9a-12p) The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, FL is hosting “The art of Bonsai for beginners”.

According to the organizers:

“The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree that has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students will become familiarized with horticultural aspects of growing bonsai including styling, care and maintenance.

Materials: Fee includes bonsai learning manual, pruning tool, one beginner’s bonsai tree, bonsai pot and use of wire and bonsai soil. Additional trees will be available for students to work on with an option to buy from the instructor

5-week session: Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17
Cost: $91 (Members $81) + Material fee of $35 of total for 5 weeks payable to the instructor”

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