The art of growing miniature potted trees.  In Japanese culture these graceful creations are often displayed in living rooms as symbols of the beauty of nature. It is a true art form that requires special techniques such as pruning, wiring, fertilizing, and watering. People not only enjoy its visual appearance but also appreciate the effort put into their creation. In the Edo period, bonsai arose as a popular hobby among the people, and it is still a popular pastime for enthusiasts all over the world. Because people of high birth, such as the imperial family, loved bonsai, it has come to be considered more art than simply a hobby. This book is a collection of exquisite photographs of bonsai grouped by month--featuring many seasonal examples of these miniature trees from January to December.