Although Bonsai is an ancient oriental art, it is just as relevant to today\'s Western culture as it was in the East, when it originated in China over 2000 years ago.
Above all, have fun - that\'s what Bonsai is all about..
Think you can manage that? Of course! Read this book, try out the techniques for yourself (if you kill a few trees, don\'t worry - we\'ve all done that!).
All it requires is a woody plant, a pot, a handful of basic tools, and a few years\' patience.
Bonsai involves no magic potions, no special philosophy, and no degree in oriental studies.
The only thing that makes it different from any other art form, is that the medium we work with is alive and constantly changing.
Nothing new there either! The only thing that makes Bonsai different from any other form of horticulture is that it involves creating a miniature image of a larger tree, and keeping it that way, in a container that is shallower than usual.
We prune our shrubs, clip our hedges and fashion some plants into the recognizable shapes of birds or animals.
For example, we all keep plants in pots, on our balconies, patios and even in our living rooms; there\'s nothing new about hat.
What better way do this, and to pay homage to mother nature\'s most magnificent creations, than through the venerable art of bonsai? The principles of Bonsai are simple to learn and very easy to apply.
In this high-tech era, this kind of empathy with our natural surroundings is even more important, helping us relax and unwind.
In painting, poetry, music and sculpture.
People everywhere have always had an affinity with nature, and people everywhere feel the urge to represent these things in the form of art.
Although Bonsai is an ancient oriental art, it is just as relevant to today\'s Western culture as it was in the East, when it originated in China over 2000 years ago
