Japanese Calligraphy Specials

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature (dwarf) trees in shallow trays or pots. The word "Bonsai" consists of two Chinese characters: "Bon" (pronounced Bone") meaning tray or pot and "sai" (pronounced "sigh") meaning planting.

While growing trees in pots goes back to ancient Egypt, it was the Chinese in 200 AD who first did this for the aesthetics. The art of Bonsai was taken to Japan in the 6th century. At this time China was well in advance of the Japanese and the Japanese went to great effort to learn and adopt Chinese science and art.

Custom Artwork may be ordered from our on-line store at Custom Artwork. Each design is personally hand-lettered by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase.

Each work is an original signed artwork by Master Calligrapher Eri Takase

Bonsai
Bonsai

Bunjin
Literati

Chokkan
Upright (formal)

Fukinagashi
Windswept

Goyoumatsu
Five Needle Pine

Hankengai
Semi-cascade

Hokidachi
Broom

Kengai
Cascade

Kuromatsu
Black pine

Moyougi
Upright (informal)

Sekijouju
Root over rock

Shakan
Slanted

Shidare
Weeping

Shinpaku
Shinpaku

Forever Green
toki wa naru
matsu no midori

Reference Books:

The following books are available from
Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy by Deborah R. Koreshoff
The Complete Book of Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson, Elvin McDonald
The Bonsai Workshop by Herb L. Gustafson
Indoor Bonsai for Beginners : Selection, Care, Training by Werner M. Busch, Andrew Wilson (Translator)

Bonsai Magazines:

Bonsai Today - The magazine for Bonsai enthusiasts.

Bonsai Clubs and Web Sites:

Bonsai Web - An excellent Bonsai resource with Forum, Supplies and Bonsai

Michael Persiano Bonsai Studio - Excellent site and resource for working with collected trees and reshaping

Bonsai Clubs International

Bonsai Forum

Cincinnati Bonsai - A new site devoted to Bonsai in the Cincinnati area.

Bonsai Supplies

BonsaiTree.com - An emporium and nursery specializing in all aspects of traditional Japanese and Chinese bonsai.