Interesting Facts!! #62

62. Bonsai trees

While the art of bonsai has long been associated with Japan, it actually originated first in China, and then spread eastward to Korea and then Japan. By the year 700 AD the Chinese had started the art of ‘pun-sai’ using special techniques to grow dwarf trees in containers. During the Kamakura period, the period in which Japan adopted most of China’s cultural trademarks, the art of growing trees in containers was introduced into Japan. The Japanese developed Bonsai, bonsai can be literally translated as "tray planting." It is believed that the first tray landscapes were brought from China to Japan at least twelve hundred years ago (as religious souvenirs).

Bonsai has evolved and developed along different lines in China and Japan. Chinese bonsai is still very much in the ancient tradition, and often appear “crude” to the uninformed. On the other hand, the Japanese styles are more pleasing and naturalistic. The Japanese trees are for the most part more refined and better groomed.

In the post World War II era most of the bonsai seen in the United States and Europe are Japanese in origin. The monopoly that Japan has enjoyed until recently is coming to be shared with a number of other countries, although the quality of Japanese trees continues to be of the highest quality.

The trees, which stood approximately one to two feet in height, required two to twenty years of masterful cultivation and care. The Japanese chose some species of fruit and flower bearing trees in addition to varied species of pine. The branches, trunks and roots of the tree obtained their odd appearance by twisting these areas into the desired shape and holding the configuration using bamboo and wire. Parts of the plant also endured burning or cutting. Artists also commonly grafted new branches, which helped create a particular shape.

They created the illusion of age by smearing parts of the tree with sweet syrup, which enticed termites into feasting on the wood. After the termites burrowed to specified depths, artists removed the insects and allowed the tree to undergo a healing process. The new wood and bark more closely resembled a much older tree. The miniature trees also commonly shared a pot with other landscaping features that included rocks and moss.

Though created under seemingly harsh conditions, with proper care and maintenance, bonsai trees last indefinitely. Centuries old bonsai trees originating in Japan continue living today. The Sandai-Shogun-No Matsu is a pine needle variety that stands on display in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Part of an historic collection, documents indicate the tree began life as a bonsai as early as 1610.

The bonsai continues representing the culture and traditions of Japan. Just as the pine tree remains a beloved symbol during the Christmas holidays, the Japanese consider the bonsai an important feature of the New Year. Homes often have a special location, known as the tokonoma, which proudly displays a miniature apricot or plum tree in bloom.

If you are interested in these little trees don't hesitate to buy one!!

-The more you know~

Interesting Facts! #61

61. Obon Festival

Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.

Obon is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, which is July according to the solar calendar. However, since the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Obon is still observed in mid August in many regions of Japan, while it is observed in mid July in other regions.

Japanese people clean their houses and place a variety of food offerings such as vegetables and fruits to the spirits of ancestors in front of a butsudan (Buddhist altar).

On the first day of Obon, chochin lanterns are lit inside houses, and people go to their family's grave to call their ancestors' spirits back home. It's called mukae-bon. In some regions, fires called mukae-bi are lit at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits. 

On the last day, people bring the ancestor's spirits back to the grave, hanging chochin painted with the family crest to guide the spirits. It's called okuri-bon. In some regions, fires called okuri-bi are lit at entrances of houses to send the ancestors' spirits back. During Obon, the smell of senko incense fills Japanese houses and cemeteries.

Toro nagashi (floating lanterns) is a tradition often observed during Obon. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.

If you are having a struggle understanding this...think of "Dia de los Muertos", "Day of the Dead" May 5th, that celebrates the same concept. 

-The more you know~

Interesting Facts!! #60

60. Sumo Wrestling

Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport. In line with tradition, only men practice the sport professionally in Japan.

From around the Heian period (794-1192), the imperial family often watched sumo as a form of entertainment. Sumo evolved over many centuries, with the first professional sumo wrestlers appearing in the Edo period (1603-1868). Because of this long history, sumo is considered Japan's national sport.

The rules of sumo wrestling are simple: the wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet loses. Matches take place on an elevated ring (dohyo), which is made of clay and covered in a layer of sand. Usually a contest lasts only a few seconds, but in rare cases it can take a minute or more. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, meaning that wrestlers can easily find themselves matched off against someone many times their size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training.


Due to traditional Japanese diet, it would be hard to gain weight in a country where everyone is very slim, so sumo wrestlers diet consist of chankonabe. Chankonabe is a type of Japanese stew made to pack on the pounds, on average it has 10,000 calories. This dish has various of meats and vegetables in it, this is much better than eating junk foot after a long day of training or a tournament.

There are many religious traditions in sumo: wrestlers sip sacred water and throw purifying salt into the ring before a match; the referee dresses like a Shinto priest, a Shinto shrine hangs over the ring. When wrestlers enter the ring they clap their hands to summon the gods. In addition to wrestlers’ colorful mawashi (belly bands) and distinctive hair styles called oicho, both of which evoke images of ancient times.

- The more you know~