Bonsai is an ancient tradition originating in Japan. It is thought that the word came from the Chinese term pun-sai (The art of growing single specimen trees in pots). Literally translated from Japanese, the term Bonsai means a tree in a pot. It is difficult to say exactly when and where Bonsai was started but perhaps one of the biggest influences was that of the Chinese monks of the Zen religion, who were instrumental in introducing Bonsai to the ruling classes of Japan.
Bonsai, like all art forms, has been influenced by fashionable trends throughout the centuries and in the late 19th century it became a booming commercial industry. If given the right care and consideration a Bonsai can out live a tree in your garden, it can be handed down from generation to generation and form a living heirloom.