This new definiton of bonsai as art is linked to the name of Masahiko Kimura. He demonstrated with his works that bonsai really can be art, and he clearly articulated that he thinks of himself as an artist in the sense just described. He often expresses his pride to have created bonsai that don't have a model in history, and he definitely claims the primacy of creativity over tradition. Especially in those cases where Kimura's creations met criticism, it was never questioned that they really were something novel and thus indirectly affirmed his claims. This criticism was aimed at innovation as such, its goal was to preserve the craft traditions.