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A good question Fred but I am not sure if it has an answer. Every viewer of a "bonsai" will have a different opinion. A different standard.
Defining the word bonsai is about as hard a defining time without using the word time in the definition. I guess it could be done but not by me.
In all my years in bonsai I have never seen two people agree on what a certain bonsai should look like. If one could line up 100 bonsai masters and have them ,one at a time, critique a bonsai then one would get 100 different answers. Sad but true.
Now if you wanted to know what the best color in the world is (colour for our English friends) then there is an acceptable answer. Everyone would have a favorite. But the best answer would be plaid.
I guess it becomes a bonsai when the owner calls it one. But then maybe it deserves that title only when a viewer decides to call it one. Best I can do on the subject.

16-Sep-2003	#7
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	A good question Fred but I am not sure if it has an answer. Every viewer of a "bonsai" will have a different opinion. A different standard. Defining the word bonsai is about as hard a defining time without using the word time in the definition. I guess it could be done but not by me. In all my years in bonsai I have never seen two people agree on what a certain bonsai should look like. If one could line up 100 bonsai masters and have them ,one at a time, critique a bonsai then one would get 100 different answers. Sad but true. Now if you wanted to know what the best color in the world is (colour for our English friends) then there is an acceptable answer. Everyone would have a favorite. But the best answer would be plaid. I guess it becomes a bonsai when the owner calls it one. But then maybe it deserves that title only when a viewer decides to call it one. Best I can do on the subject.