The Japanese art of creating miniature trees actually originated in
China, where it’s called penjing. Penjing, meaning "tray scenery," is a
traditional Chinese art of creating miniature potted landscapes
including trees and other plants. Brought from China to Japan in
ancient times before spreading to the West, bonsai/penjing is now
popular throughout the world.
Literati Style Penjing: Chinese Bonsai Masterworks focuses on a
special category of penjing associated with traditional Chinese
culture, such as the painting of the literati, or elite scholar
bureaucrats, of imperial China. Like literati ink paintings, this style of
penjing has a subtle elegance distinguished by a lone, lean trunk with
sparse foliage exhibiting distinct lines and simplicity. It includes 12
examples of literati style penjing creations, which incorporate a deep
knowledge of the art form together with practical creativity and artistic
beauty.