Precious things come in small packages

Before leaving on business for three days my best beloved bought me a leaving work present of a bonsai tree.  It is a four year old Chinese Elm tree, Ulmus parvifolia.  (I'd been with Hill Spink for four year). 

Now anyone who knows me will say that I love all things Japanese, sushi, tsubo niwa, aikido, manga.  But where did it all come from?













It all started many moons ago with Battle of the Planets, an American adaptation of a Japanese Anime "Science Ninja Team Gatchaman".  I had a crush on Jason, the dark and dangerous one.  (Yes my first crush was a cartoon character).  And would often be found in the garden shouting "G Force!" and saving the world from Zoltar.














When I had the opportunity to go to Japan with a Dance troupe I jumped at the chance and spent six glorious months in Hiroshima, with hordes of school girls thinking we were the latest British pop band and following us thoroughly the shopping malls taking photos and screaming. After high kicking throughout the evening we spent many a night drinking Kirin Ichiban and singing Karaoke.





My second journey East was to Yamanashi to train with Takeno sensei shihan 8th dan.  I spent a month training at his dojo learning aikido from the best and earning my brown belt, multiple bruising and eating the most fabulous food!




I have always been fascinated with the art of bonsai.  How do you keep those giants of nature so tiny!


here's the history bit
Bonsai which means plant in pots dates back to early 700's AD in china and was brought to Japan in the Heian period (794-1191) here it flourished and became popular with not only the noble but people of all classes.

All things Japanese became popular in western Europe in the late nineteenth century influencing many of the impressionist artists and in its way much of modern art. As seen in Hokusai's Mount Fuji  seen below a wave at Kanagawa.  The third exhibition of Paris 1878 introduced Bonsai to Europe and from there it has flourished. 














To be completely technical mine is not a bonsai but a pre-bonsai, a young tree that is ready to be trained as a bonsai.  It will take many years and patience before I get a wonderful shape to the tree and   I'm rather nervous about getting those shears out and butchering... errr I mean pruning the little fellow but as with everything if you don't try you don't achieve.