The first time bonsai was referred in Japanese culture was around the 1300s. It showed up in a few publications about painting and gardening. Later it shows up specifically in books about bonsai in the 1800s. During these times, the Japanese were the ones who really gave the word "bonsai" such popularity.
It may have been the Chinese who started the art and the creation of bonsai tools. However, credit must be given to Japan for perfecting the art as we know it today, and manufacturing there own influenced style of Japanese bonsai tools as well. In the 18th century, publications and bonsai experts started defining and formulating styles. It's the focused devotion and discipline of the Japanese practice that gave such definition to bonsai. No longer was it just a rustic and natural planting. Rather, the tree had to be perfectly sculpted and designed to styling characteristics that were becoming standards. These standards still exist today, and we continue to classify bonsai by certain elements including defined styles. Even a "natural" look has to have some Japanese rules applied to it. In other words, the Japanese would not accept just a tree in a pot, rather it needs to be art and capture the beauty of its journey. These traditions have become paramount even today.
Penjing Iron Works would like to thank the Japanese community for being the marketing agency of bonsai. Without you, we, and the world would have not been able to share in the joy of the great art. Thank you also for your focused attention into detail which makes the trees so valuable.
