Bonsai Names

Bonsai, pronounced bon-sai, is the Japanese word for “tree in a pot.” The art of creating miniature trees has its roots in China and Japan. Bonsai are miniature representations of natural landscapes that use pruning, shaping, and potting to create the illusion of age and size.

When a Bonsai is first planted it is often given a name. These names can be based on the characteristics of the tree or its symbolism. Choosing a meaningful name will help you to develop a closer relationship with the tree.

The language of Bonsai is very unique and uses many different terms that are not common in other gardening languages. To help you become more familiar with these terms we have created this handy guide to Bonsai terminology.

ROOT OVER ROCK – technique where the roots of a tree are trained to grow over rocks. This method is commonly used for evergreen species like juniper and holly that maintain leaf growth all year round.

SHIRISHAKEI – the art of using multiple plant species to create tray landscapes. This style was popularized in the 1960’s when Kawamoto and Kurihara published a book called Bonsai-Saikei (Bonsai-tree in a tray).

SIZE CLASS – a classification of how large a bonsai is compared to other examples of its species. These classes are often used to complement a photograph of a bonsai and give the viewer an idea of the tree’s actual size.

BONZAI TREES – the term bonsai is derived from Chinese Penjing (punch ai) which is the art of representing natural landscapes in a container. A bonsai is a miniaturization of nature confined in a pot without showing the effects of human intervention.