North Carolina Arboretum's Bonsai Garden

rockm

I was not calling you snobbish, by the way Attila. That was directed at the letter writer. You probably know that, but just wanted to be clear.

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Attila

I completely agree with you Mark,

but I wish we could have an english name for bonsai. Something that sounds good and comes easy. I can't think of anything though, every attempt that I've heard in the past sounded pretentious or awkward.

I know it's just semantics, but somehow I feel that an english name would set us completely free. Language is a powerful thing.

Attila

By the way, just as an afterthought,

An english name for bonsai would also dispel the ignorant but very prevalent assumption in the mind of the masses that bonsai is some kind of weird tree species.

I encounter the above belief all the time. When I tell someone that I can make bonsai out of an apple tree, they are dumbfounded.

A good old home-spun descriptive name would make people confortable and familiar with this "oriental" practice.



Well, I know I am just daydreaming....

rockm

I don't think the name is much of an obstacle, either, if you follow the Japanese model. They adapt English terms all the time. Particularly in the last 30 years or so.

For what it's worth, I think "bonsai" has become "Anglified," or even "globalized" as a term. Everyone recognizes it. Inventing a new term would confuse things and, I think, is unnecessary. The term is already part of the American, European, or whatever country's vernacular.

The single term may even be a plus, as it's the same word and carries much the same meaning the world over. The word "bonsai" here in the U.S., is the basically same thing when used in Italy, U.K. Germany, wherever. If we invent a new name here in the U.S., like "plant art" you can bet no one else will know what we're talking about, or it will be completely misinterpreted.

RonMartin(deceased)

Excellent article. Made a lot of sense to me.

rockm

Attila,

I think what's getting to you isn't the word "bonsai," it's education. People are generally ignorant about alot of stuff. Changing the terminology isn't going to make them any quicker on the uptake.

They know what "bonsai" is, basically, they just have trouble understanding HOW it's done.

Those are two separate issues. A homespun name isn't going to get them to understand the how to's of bonsai.

Attila

Good points.
You've convinced me, I don't feel guilty anymore about "disrespecting" the Japanese tradition.


Attila

JohnQuinn

We have had tongue in cheek discussions of an alternative term to 'bonsai' during Arthur's annual visits to our club. I suppose we could call them "Artistic Pot Plants" as did Wu Yee Sun (Man Lung Penjing)...heck, we'd probably get more inquiries from younger folks! ;-) As well as unwanted scrutiny from local law enforcement (like your meth lab neighbors, Ron??)
I actually prefer "Tree Bondage", but likewise, unwanted attention may follow.

We could just change the spelling to 'bonzai'...most newbies would be familiar with that! ;-)

bonsaikc

Not the "Picasso of bonsai!!!"

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