Expressing Japan’s four seasons through bonsai
Bonsai involves growing plants in small containers and having their branches and leaves shaped to express nature. Brought over from China in the Heian Era, it became actively enjoyed in the Edo Era. Bonsai, which takes time and effort, is known as a hobby for people like the elderly, but for the past several years, it has also received attention overseas and bonsai culture has been rising in popularity. In addition, it has also become a cute statement in terms of interior design starting from the small pots, and in recent years, it has become a hit with young women.
The Bonsai Art Museum began displaying bonsai from its opening in 2010. Omiya has a Bonsai Village, and so the museum was established by the village. Aside from a display of bonsai, the museum also provides a plethora of information pertaining to the art such as displays of the pots and stones used for the art, paintings such as ukiyo-e which have depicted bonsai, and historical information related to bonsai.
Furthermore, in the large bonsai garden that is in the museum, pine that is a staple for bonsai is displayed through approximately 60 exhibits, shaped into trees such as maple. The time spent leisurely viewing the bonsai from Azumaya in the center of the garden and getting a sense of nature is one of the charms of this Japanese traditional culture. How about starting your knowledge of bonsai from this occasion? As well, around the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, there are 6 bonsai gardens in operation which make up the Bonsai Village. If you have become interested in bonsai after a visit to the museum, then it would be great to visit these gardens by all means.