| Term
|
Definition |
| Apex |
The top point of the tree. Every tree must have an apex,
a single point which is clearly marked as the top
of the tree. It may be a branch, foliage, or jin. |
|
| Backbudding |
Process of encouraging
growth on a branch where growth is non-existent. |
|
| Bankan |
A bonsai with a very coiled, curvy trunk, resembling
a snake. |
|
| Dai ki (Oya ki) |
The
parent plant. Parent tree. |
|
| Gi sei shi (GI sei eda) |
A branch left to grow only to promote the overall growth
of the tree before being transformed into a bonsai.
Also called "Sacrifice branch". |
|
| Ichi no eda |
The first of lowest branch of a bonsai. |
|
| Jin (Eda-jin) |
One of the "dead
wood" techniques. A portion of a bonsai, often the top branch, which has been stripped
of its bark and cambium.
The intention is to give the tree an old and lightly
damaged look. Generally carved, jin give the impression of great age
when added to a tree. Often they are coated with
a mixture of lime sulfur,
which turns them white with time. Mostly seen on conifers.
(See also Shari, Sabamiki).
|
|
| Kuitsuki eda |
Short complementary branch, smaller than the rest of
the branches, gives the tree naturalism. (See also
Uke eda, Sashi
eda, Mae eda). |
|
| Kiki eda |
Point of tree to focus on. Can be the primer branch.
(See also Ushiro Eda, Uke
eda, Kuitsuki Eda,
Sashi eda, Mae
eda). |
|
| Layering (Air Layering) |
The method by which new trees are formed from old stock.
Incisions are made on a tree's branch or trunk, cutting
its supply of nutrients from the roots. When covered
with a rooting medium (such as Sphagnum Moss) and
treating it with rooting hormone, the affected portion
will sprout new roots and may then be cut from the
parent tree and planted as its own tree. |
|
| Lime Sulfur |
The chemical, Lime
Sulfur, is used at full strength to bleach (whiten)
and sterilize dead wood portions of the trunk and
stripped branches to give an aged look to a jin
or shari. Lime Sulfur will
also help to preserve the wood and prevent fungus
and rot.
SAFETY:
Safety goggles and gloves should be worn while handling
lime sulfur. Lime sulfur solutions are strongly
alkaline (typical commercial concentrates have a
pH over 11.5), and so it is corrosive
to living things and can cause blindness if splashed
in the eyes.
|
|
| Mae eda |
The "Front Branch" of a bonsai. Always positioned
upon the lower half of the tree. (See also Uke
eda, Sashi eda, Kuitsuki
eda, Ushiro Eda). |
|
| Miki |
Japanese term for "trunk". |
|
| Nebari |
The Japanese term referring to the spread rootage formation
at the base of a bonsai. The exposed and visible
surface roots. |
|
| Ni no eda |
The second branch of a bonsai. |
|
| Pinching |
Means of controlling
and shaping the directing the growth of foliage. |
|
| pH |
pH is a measure of
a solution's acidity or alkalinity. Aqueous solutions
with pH values lower than 7 are considered acidic,
while pH values higher than 7 are considered alkaline.
Most substances have a pH in the range 0 to 14. |
|
| Sabamiki |
One of the "dead wood" techniques. The intention is to
give the tree an old and lightning damaged look. Most
seen on conifers. Sabamiki is the denomination for
hollow trunks. (See also Jin, Shari). |
|
| San no eda |
The third branch of a bonsai. |
|
| Sashi eda (Ishi no eda) |
Primer branch which marks direction and movement of the
tree. (See also Uke eda, Kuitsuki
eda, Mae eda, Ushiro
Eda). |
|
| Shari |
One
of the "dead wood" techniques, Shari refers to a place
on the tree where bark and cambium
have been stripped or peeled away, giving the tree
the appearance of age or exposure to harsh conditions
or severe weathering - such as a lightning damaged
look. Mostly seen on conifers.
In contrast to Jins, Shari is a dead part on the trunk.
Shari are preserved by coating them with a mixture
of lime sulfur which will
also turn them white, creating an appearance of age.
(See also Jin, Sabamiki).
|
|
| Shin |
Japanese term for the apex of the
bonsai. |
|
| Snaking |
Use of wire to bend
and shape a tree in a snaking pattern to create a
visual effect and to shorten the overall length of
the branch. |
|
| Three Points |
Most bonsai styles and shapes are related to the idea
of the triangle. The three points of the triangle
represent "Heaven," "Earth," and "Humanity."
The goal of such arrangement is to have, as Yuji Yoshimura
describes it, the "three points form a triangle with
Heaven (the top of the tree) as an apex and Earth
(the point nearest the ground) forming the most acute
of the three angles." |
|
| Uke eda |
Counterweight to Sashi eda branch
placed at opposite side of the tree. Gives the tree
its balance. (See also Sashi eda,
Kuitsuki eda, Mae
eda). |
|
| Ushiro eda |
The back branch of a bonsai. It's purpose is to improve
the perspective of the tree. (See also Uke
eda, Sashi eda, Kuitsuki
eda, Mae eda). |
|
| Wabi Sabi |
The
terms wabi and sabi are terms related to the Japanese
sense of shibui, the aesthetic of tastefulness
and austerity in art and movement. Wabi is the idea
of beauty in the plain, natural and healthy aspect
of form. An appreciation of both the humble and the
reserved. It is also an appreciation of the ways in
which humans can achieve perfection as well. Sabi
is the sense of beauty that comes from great age,
including things like wear, rust, patina and even
decay. It is the sense of natural beauty achieved
not by man, but by nature exerting her influence on
the world.
Wabi Sabi refers to
the balance and appreciation of both aspects of
the world, the role of the human and nature. Accordingly,
it is an ideal philosophy for bonsai, combining
the human aspect of training (represented by the
pot) with the natural aspect of the tree.
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