Korean Bunjae

Bonsai spread to Korea during the Tang or Song Dynasty (7th - 13th century). Bunjae is the Korean word for the practice of the art of Bonsai. Bunjae trees are not miniature hybrids; they are normal trees intentionally dwarfed into an aesthetically pleasing shape by constant pruning and training with wires. Korean Bunjae cultivators tend to focus on using native species namely pines, juniper, hornbeam, zelkova, azaleas and painted maples. Small leafed trees are preferred because leaves stay in proportion to the tree trunk.

It would appear that bunjae were originally used to decorate the yards and gardens of palaces or noble houses, but the precise period during which cultivation began is unknown. Bunjae was already flourishing during the Tang and Song dynasties of China (7th century to 13th century), and it was transmitted to Korea and even influenced Japan. With the development of gardens, an even more delicate bunjae was born.

The oldest record of bunjae in Korean written lite- rature is Jeon Nok-saeng's (premier at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, 1318-1375) poem "Yeongbunsong" ("Song of the Potted Pine"), which sings of the charm of bunjae. Also, the book Yanghwasorok (A Concise Record of Cultivated Plants), written by the early-Joseon pain- ter Kang Hui-an (1417-1464), illustrates a number of examples of bunjae and provides a detailed description in its discussion of the methods of cultivating flowering plants.

There are five varieties of bunjae: flowering bunjae, for those who want to enjoy flowering beauty, as seen in such flowers as azaleas; pine bunjae, needle-leafed trees which resemble pines and junipers; fruit bunjae, which bear fruit such as Chinese quince; foliage bunjae, which change in appearance with the seasons; and grass bunjae, which resemble Japanese rush. The most popular varieties are pine bunjae, but foliage bunjae are the easiest to cultivate at home.

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