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Terminology in Bonsai
Some of the Japanese vocabulary we use in bonsai is wide spread. Other terms are not as well known, and while
they are not necessary to enjoy the art of bonsai itself, it can also be nice to be familiar with the Japanese phrases and
vocabulary.
Many Japanese words have multiple meanings, some related to Bonsai, some not. For instance, the word bankan most
commonly means "a trunk with many curves, like a coiled snake", but also means a gnarled trunk, or a flat slab of
rootage instead of individual roots (much as one typically finds on olive trees, for instance). Other words have a
common usage translation, and a different literal translation. The word mame literally means "pea," or "bean" in
Japanese, though we use it to denote bonsai of the smallest size category.
I could never include all of the Japanese words associated with bonsai, nor all of their many meanings, without this
turning into a whole Japanese language lesson. However, as I learn them I will share them here. While I may not
include all of the non-bonsai definitions of the words, I will include as many meanings as I can, as well as literal
translations where applicable.
General Terms and Techniques
AIOI
Double trunk or twin trunked tree.
AIOI-no-MATSU
Double trunked pines
AJI
Atmosphere presented by the tree. Literally the taste, flavour or zest.
AKADAMA TSUCHI
Akadama Soil
ARA KAWA SHO
Tree with rough bark.
ARA KI or ARA GI
Freshly dug tree or new tree, promising as bonsai material. Collected or field grown tree that is potted for the first
time or a tree that is to be trained for the first time.
BANKAN
Trunk with many curves, "coiled snake." Also means a gnarled trunk. Also a flat slab of rootage instead of individual
roots (for instance, typical rootage of an olive tree)
BONJU
A bonsai tree.
BONKEI
Natural landscapes in a dish (with rocks, plants, animal figures, houses)
BONSAI-EN
An area where bonsai trees are kept and trained
BUNJIN
Literati
CHOKKAN
Formal upright
CHU-SHAKAN
Tree with medium slant
CHU-TAKU
Literally, "Medium Home." Stand of medium height.
DAI-KENGAI
Very vertical, formal cascade
DAI KI
Parent plant.
DAI-SHAKAN
Tree with an extreme slant.
DOU BUKI
Adventitious Budding.
EDA
Branches
EDA BONE
Branch structure
EDA GIN
Jin, deadwood branch.
EDA TANYA
Branch shelf. Branch extending from the trunk with subsequent ramification to form a pad. To have a number of
pads is called Eda-wari (Branch division); displays depth and volume and also should allow sun penetration and air
circulation to the base of each branch
EDA UCHI
Harmonizing effect of branches.
FUKINAGASHI
Windswept
FUKINAGASHI KENGAI
Cascade with windswept branches or trunk
FUTAMATA EDA
Y-shaped branch
FUTU-KORO-EDA
"Futu-koro" is when two sides of a kimono overlap to form a sort of pocket. A pocket branch.
GAITO KENGAI
Cascading from the top of a cliff or dome.
GEI
Inherent movement in the trunk
GI SEI SHI
Sacrifice branch
GOHAN-YOSE
Group planting of five trees
GOKAN
Five trunked tree
GYAKU EDA
Literally "contrary branch." Ingrowing branch
GYO
Formal display
HA
Leaf, foliage
HA GARI
Pinching out leaves.
HA MIZU
Misting leaves with water
HACHI UYE
A large trained tree in a container, but too big to be considered a bonsai.
HAN EN EDA
Half circle branch
HAN KENGAI
Literally "Half Cascade." Semi-cascade
HANKAN
Literally "Ill feelings, animosity, repulsion." A gnarled trunk
HARI GANE KAKE
Wiring a tree.
HIJI TSUKI EDA
Elbow branch
HOKIDACHI or HOKI-ZUKURI
Broom form.
HONEN
Flame shaped tree
ICHI NO EDA
Number one branch. The first branch from the base of the tree: location and thickness in relation to the trunk
considered very important to overall design.
IKADABUKI or IKADABUSE or IKADAUYE or IKADAZUKURI
Raft style. A tree that has fallen on its side, the upright branches becoming individual trees.
IKI MICHI or MIZU SU
Life line or water in take.
IMI-EDA
Undesirable branches
IPPON-UYE
A single tree
ISHI UYE
a rock as a container
ISHI SEKI or ISHI ZUKE
“Seated on rock” clinging to rock
JIBAN
A thin wooden board on which to display medium sized bonsai
JI DAI
Literally, "Character of Age." Period or age. To show age; basic feature of all bonsai; "good Jidai" "shows Jidai" are
expressions used when judging the tree; also used to refer to the bark of the tree, an old pot or the overall feeling of
serenity received when viewing the tree.
JIN
Dead tip of a branch or apex of a tree
JU SEI
Growth of the tree or tree vigor. Normal or satisfactory growth of the roots, trunk and branches of the tree. Also
means: Tree character. Characteristic of the tree; speed of growth, flower, fruit and leaves; adaptability to soil;
resistance to insects and disease; acceptance to certain propagation methods also refers to care procedures and
seasonal care; caution given to the importance of fully understanding the characteristic of the tree.
KABUBUKI or KABUDACHI
Multiple-trunk/clump
KAERUMATA EDA
Literally "come back again branch." U shaped branch
KAMINARI
Lightening struck trunk
KANJU
Deciduous tree.
KANNUKI EDA
An ugly branch that needs to be cut off; a bar branch
KAN REI SHA
Shade cloth. By direct translation, Kanrei (Cold) and Sha (Wide thin sheet of cloth made of cotton or nylon); used
for frost protection in winter as well as from strong sunrays in summer.
KAN SUI
Watering.
KARAMAE-MIKI
Entwined trunks
KARAMAE NE
Tangled roots or intertwining of roots. These roots appearing on the surface considered undesirable; when repotting
untangle and remove excess roots.
KARI KOMI
Pruning and cutting of leaves and branches.
KARUSU
Callous.
KATA EDA
Branching occurring on only one side of the trunk.
KATA NE
Roots occurring on only one side of the trunk.
KATAMERU
Hardening, strengthen
KEI SEI SOU
Cambium.
KENGAI
Cascade
KIRI MODOSHI
Cutting back to first or second bud for the purpose of reshaping branch ramification.
KO EDA
Very graceful limbs.
KOKE
Moss
KOKE JUN
Taper.
KOSA EDA
Crossed branches
KOTAKU
A tall stand for cascades
KUMO-AHSI
Cloud-formed leg of a pot
KURUME EDA
Wheel spoked branches
KUSAMONO
Grass for displaying
KYOKU DUKE
Curve making. Wiring to bend trunk and branches to enhance shape and flow of entire tree.
KYUHON-YOSE
A group planting with nine trees
KYUKAN
A tree with nine trunks
MAE EDA
Front Branch
MAKI ADAI
Rolled stand
MATSU-ZUKURI
Pine tree shaped
MEI BOKU
Old, antique and elegant bonsai.
METSUKI EDA
Eye-poking branch
MI MONO
Fruit bearing bonsai.
MI SHO
Raising bonsai from seed.
MIKI
Trunk
MIKI KIRI EDA
A branch crossing the trunk
MIZU
Water
MIZU GA AMAI
"Water sweet." Refers to the amount of water applied; implies generous.
MIZU GA KARAI
"Water hot." Refers to the amount of water applied; implies sparingly.
MIZU GIRE
Too dry.
MIZU GOE
Fertilizer dissolved in water.
MOYOGI
Informal upright
NANAHAN YOSE
Group planting with seven trees
NANAKAN
A tree with seven trunks
NE BUSE
Root pruning.
NEAGARI or NEGARI
Exposed root style
NEBARI
Surface roots.
NEJIKAN or NE-JIREKAN
Twisted trunk
NE JOKU
A stand made from natural tree roots
NETSUNAGARI
Connected root style
NI-NO EDA
Second branch
O-
Large
O-MOYOGI
Excessively curved trunk
OYA KI
Parent tree in reference to air layering.
ROSOKU-ZUKURI
Candle flame shaped tree
SABAKAN
Hollow or split trunk
SABAMIKI
Split-trunk
SABI
An artistic, zen concept. Antiquated elegance or a graceful form of loneliness and solitude
SAGARI EDA
A hanging branch
SAI-KEI
Landscape planting with rocks and trees, but no figures.
SAKU
Composition.
SAMON YOSE
A group planting with three trees
SANKAN
Triple-trunk tree
SAN-NO EDA
Third branch
SAN SUI
Mountain and Water
SASHI HO
Cutting.
SASHI KI
Propegation by means of cutting.
SEI SHI
Bonsai training
SEKI KAZARI
General term used to describe a bonsai display. Seki alone means (Seat or Straw-mat, Tatami) however, combining
with Kazari (Display) it means, to consciously organize a display that uses the entire allotted space. Toko-kazari
(Tokonoma display) and Tana kazari (Shelf display) are a form of Seki-kazari.
SEKIJOJU
Root over rock
SEKI-KAZARI
Displaying in individual booths
SEKKAI IOU GOUZAI
Lime sulphur mix.
SEKKAN or SETSU KAN
Distance between nodes.
SHAKAN
Slanting style
SHARIMIKI
Deadwood on the trunk, more commonly called “shari.”
SHIBUI
A simple beauty that defies description
SHICKIKAN
Tree with seven trunks
SHIDARE-ZUKURI
Weeping form
SHIME KOMU
Komu literally means "crowded." To make compact.
SHIN
An apex of a tree. Also a very formal display.
SHIN SHO
New growth
SHINKIRE EDA
A stubbed branch
SHINNASHI
No apex
SHIZEN
Natural
SHIZEN-BAN
A slab of wood formed by sawing a disk of wood out of a trunk. Used to display large bonsai.
SHIZEN-ZUKURI
Natural shape
SHO HAKU
Coniferous trees.
SHO KI
Bonsai from collected specimens.
SHO-SHAKAN
Tree with a minimal slant
SHU BOKU
Primary tree. The main tree in the display, such as in the Seki kazari.
SHU KAN
Main trunk
SO
A casual display
SOGU-KI
A trunk split in two
SOJU
Two individual trees, but displayed together in a pot as a unit
SOKAN
Twin-trunk
SUIBAN
"Water basin." Shallow water tray without drainage holes for display rock plantings.
SUI-SEK
Waterstone
SUISEKI
Rocky landscape. Commonly known in the west as Viewing stones.
SUKASU
Literally, "To look through." To thin. Reducing the number of leaves, branches, buds, roots, etc.
TACHI AGARI
Literally, "Standing upward." Baseline of a trunk.
TACHI AGARI KENGAI
Upright cascade
TACHI EDA
Upgrowing branch
TACHIKI or TACHI-GI
Informal upright tree
TAKAN-KENGAI
More than two trunks cascading
TAKE-DAI
Woven bamboo mat to display bonsai
TAKI-KENGAIN
Waterfall cascade
TAKU
Stand
TAMA-ZUKURI
Ball or sphere shaped tree
TANA KAZARI
Shelf display. Display stand in shape of a box; a stand primarily used for displaying 'Shohin-Bonsai' with
accompanying accessory items.
TANUKI
“Badger,” literally taken from the badger spirits of ancient Japan who would play tricks on unwary travelers. This
form of bonsai is often considered a “trick” or “cheat” in Japan. Form where sapling is attached to deadwood to
create the illusion of an older tree. Also known as a 'Phoenix Graft'.
TOKONOMA
Traditional display area in a Japanese house where bonsai are brought inside for a short period and displayed
with accent plantings and calligraphy. Can also house ikeban (flower arrangements).
TORI KI
Airlayering
TORI KI MONO
Bonsai obtained through airlayering
TSUCHI
Soil
TSUGI HO
Scion.
TSUGI KI
Grafting
UE TSUCHI
Literally "Top Soil." Planting Soil
UKE EDA
Balancing branch. Balancing or secondary branch that is shorter than and can appear above or below the Kiki Eda
(Primary Branch); has the role of holding together and enhancing the overall design.
USHIRO EDA
Back branch. Branch that extends to the rear to give the tree depth.
WABI
Artistic zen concept. Stillness or loneliness. An absence of superfluous material possessions.
WAKA GI
Young tree.
YAKU EDA
Essential branches
YAMADORI
Collected material. Yama, literally “Mountain.” Though classically associated with collecting from the mountains, the
phrase is often used to describe general outdoor collecting.
YAMAHORI or YAMA-YORI or YAMA-YOSE
A trunk composed of several fused trees due to their developing close together from seeds.
YOKO-NAGASHI KENGAI
Sidesweeping cascade
YOSE UE
Group planting
YUMI-KAN
A bow shaped trunk
Size Classifications
Note: Exact sizes for each class vary from one authority to another.
These are generally accepted sizes, but by no means the *only*
method of categorizing them.
MAME
“Bean, pea” bonsai less than 15cm/6in tall
SHOHIN
bonsai 15-30cm/6-12in tall
KIFU
bonsai 30-60cm/12-24in tall
CHU
bonsai 60-90cm/24-36in tall
DAI
“Large size” bonsai over 90cm/36in
Tree Varieties
Japanese names of some varieties of trees.
BENI SHITAN
Cotoneaster horizontalis.
BOKE
Flowering Quince. Chojubai, Flowering Quince "Chojubai."
CHIRIMENKAZURA
Star Jasmine
DESHOUJOU
Japanese red maple, Acer palumatum var. Matsumurae
KAEDE
Maple
KASHI
Oak
KEYAKI
Zelkova
MATSU
Pine. Aka matsu, Red Pine.
SAKURA
Flowering cherry
Some of the Japanese vocabulary we use in bonsai is wide spread. Other terms are not as well known, and while
they are not necessary to enjoy the art of bonsai itself, it can also be nice to be familiar with the Japanese phrases and
vocabulary.
Many Japanese words have multiple meanings, some related to Bonsai, some not. For instance, the word bankan most
commonly means "a trunk with many curves, like a coiled snake", but also means a gnarled trunk, or a flat slab of
rootage instead of individual roots (much as one typically finds on olive trees, for instance). Other words have a
common usage translation, and a different literal translation. The word mame literally means "pea," or "bean" in
Japanese, though we use it to denote bonsai of the smallest size category.
I could never include all of the Japanese words associated with bonsai, nor all of their many meanings, without this
turning into a whole Japanese language lesson. However, as I learn them I will share them here. While I may not
include all of the non-bonsai definitions of the words, I will include as many meanings as I can, as well as literal
translations where applicable.
General Terms and Techniques
AIOI
Double trunk or twin trunked tree.
AIOI-no-MATSU
Double trunked pines
AJI
Atmosphere presented by the tree. Literally the taste, flavour or zest.
AKADAMA TSUCHI
Akadama Soil
ARA KAWA SHO
Tree with rough bark.
ARA KI or ARA GI
Freshly dug tree or new tree, promising as bonsai material. Collected or field grown tree that is potted for the first
time or a tree that is to be trained for the first time.
BANKAN
Trunk with many curves, "coiled snake." Also means a gnarled trunk. Also a flat slab of rootage instead of individual
roots (for instance, typical rootage of an olive tree)
BONJU
A bonsai tree.
BONKEI
Natural landscapes in a dish (with rocks, plants, animal figures, houses)
BONSAI-EN
An area where bonsai trees are kept and trained
BUNJIN
Literati
CHOKKAN
Formal upright
CHU-SHAKAN
Tree with medium slant
CHU-TAKU
Literally, "Medium Home." Stand of medium height.
DAI-KENGAI
Very vertical, formal cascade
DAI KI
Parent plant.
DAI-SHAKAN
Tree with an extreme slant.
DOU BUKI
Adventitious Budding.
EDA
Branches
EDA BONE
Branch structure
EDA GIN
Jin, deadwood branch.
EDA TANYA
Branch shelf. Branch extending from the trunk with subsequent ramification to form a pad. To have a number of
pads is called Eda-wari (Branch division); displays depth and volume and also should allow sun penetration and air
circulation to the base of each branch
EDA UCHI
Harmonizing effect of branches.
FUKINAGASHI
Windswept
FUKINAGASHI KENGAI
Cascade with windswept branches or trunk
FUTAMATA EDA
Y-shaped branch
FUTU-KORO-EDA
"Futu-koro" is when two sides of a kimono overlap to form a sort of pocket. A pocket branch.
GAITO KENGAI
Cascading from the top of a cliff or dome.
GEI
Inherent movement in the trunk
GI SEI SHI
Sacrifice branch
GOHAN-YOSE
Group planting of five trees
GOKAN
Five trunked tree
GYAKU EDA
Literally "contrary branch." Ingrowing branch
GYO
Formal display
HA
Leaf, foliage
HA GARI
Pinching out leaves.
HA MIZU
Misting leaves with water
HACHI UYE
A large trained tree in a container, but too big to be considered a bonsai.
HAN EN EDA
Half circle branch
HAN KENGAI
Literally "Half Cascade." Semi-cascade
HANKAN
Literally "Ill feelings, animosity, repulsion." A gnarled trunk
HARI GANE KAKE
Wiring a tree.
HIJI TSUKI EDA
Elbow branch
HOKIDACHI or HOKI-ZUKURI
Broom form.
HONEN
Flame shaped tree
ICHI NO EDA
Number one branch. The first branch from the base of the tree: location and thickness in relation to the trunk
considered very important to overall design.
IKADABUKI or IKADABUSE or IKADAUYE or IKADAZUKURI
Raft style. A tree that has fallen on its side, the upright branches becoming individual trees.
IKI MICHI or MIZU SU
Life line or water in take.
IMI-EDA
Undesirable branches
IPPON-UYE
A single tree
ISHI UYE
a rock as a container
ISHI SEKI or ISHI ZUKE
“Seated on rock” clinging to rock
JIBAN
A thin wooden board on which to display medium sized bonsai
JI DAI
Literally, "Character of Age." Period or age. To show age; basic feature of all bonsai; "good Jidai" "shows Jidai" are
expressions used when judging the tree; also used to refer to the bark of the tree, an old pot or the overall feeling of
serenity received when viewing the tree.
JIN
Dead tip of a branch or apex of a tree
JU SEI
Growth of the tree or tree vigor. Normal or satisfactory growth of the roots, trunk and branches of the tree. Also
means: Tree character. Characteristic of the tree; speed of growth, flower, fruit and leaves; adaptability to soil;
resistance to insects and disease; acceptance to certain propagation methods also refers to care procedures and
seasonal care; caution given to the importance of fully understanding the characteristic of the tree.
KABUBUKI or KABUDACHI
Multiple-trunk/clump
KAERUMATA EDA
Literally "come back again branch." U shaped branch
KAMINARI
Lightening struck trunk
KANJU
Deciduous tree.
KANNUKI EDA
An ugly branch that needs to be cut off; a bar branch
KAN REI SHA
Shade cloth. By direct translation, Kanrei (Cold) and Sha (Wide thin sheet of cloth made of cotton or nylon); used
for frost protection in winter as well as from strong sunrays in summer.
KAN SUI
Watering.
KARAMAE-MIKI
Entwined trunks
KARAMAE NE
Tangled roots or intertwining of roots. These roots appearing on the surface considered undesirable; when repotting
untangle and remove excess roots.
KARI KOMI
Pruning and cutting of leaves and branches.
KARUSU
Callous.
KATA EDA
Branching occurring on only one side of the trunk.
KATA NE
Roots occurring on only one side of the trunk.
KATAMERU
Hardening, strengthen
KEI SEI SOU
Cambium.
KENGAI
Cascade
KIRI MODOSHI
Cutting back to first or second bud for the purpose of reshaping branch ramification.
KO EDA
Very graceful limbs.
KOKE
Moss
KOKE JUN
Taper.
KOSA EDA
Crossed branches
KOTAKU
A tall stand for cascades
KUMO-AHSI
Cloud-formed leg of a pot
KURUME EDA
Wheel spoked branches
KUSAMONO
Grass for displaying
KYOKU DUKE
Curve making. Wiring to bend trunk and branches to enhance shape and flow of entire tree.
KYUHON-YOSE
A group planting with nine trees
KYUKAN
A tree with nine trunks
MAE EDA
Front Branch
MAKI ADAI
Rolled stand
MATSU-ZUKURI
Pine tree shaped
MEI BOKU
Old, antique and elegant bonsai.
METSUKI EDA
Eye-poking branch
MI MONO
Fruit bearing bonsai.
MI SHO
Raising bonsai from seed.
MIKI
Trunk
MIKI KIRI EDA
A branch crossing the trunk
MIZU
Water
MIZU GA AMAI
"Water sweet." Refers to the amount of water applied; implies generous.
MIZU GA KARAI
"Water hot." Refers to the amount of water applied; implies sparingly.
MIZU GIRE
Too dry.
MIZU GOE
Fertilizer dissolved in water.
MOYOGI
Informal upright
NANAHAN YOSE
Group planting with seven trees
NANAKAN
A tree with seven trunks
NE BUSE
Root pruning.
NEAGARI or NEGARI
Exposed root style
NEBARI
Surface roots.
NEJIKAN or NE-JIREKAN
Twisted trunk
NE JOKU
A stand made from natural tree roots
NETSUNAGARI
Connected root style
NI-NO EDA
Second branch
O-
Large
O-MOYOGI
Excessively curved trunk
OYA KI
Parent tree in reference to air layering.
ROSOKU-ZUKURI
Candle flame shaped tree
SABAKAN
Hollow or split trunk
SABAMIKI
Split-trunk
SABI
An artistic, zen concept. Antiquated elegance or a graceful form of loneliness and solitude
SAGARI EDA
A hanging branch
SAI-KEI
Landscape planting with rocks and trees, but no figures.
SAKU
Composition.
SAMON YOSE
A group planting with three trees
SANKAN
Triple-trunk tree
SAN-NO EDA
Third branch
SAN SUI
Mountain and Water
SASHI HO
Cutting.
SASHI KI
Propegation by means of cutting.
SEI SHI
Bonsai training
SEKI KAZARI
General term used to describe a bonsai display. Seki alone means (Seat or Straw-mat, Tatami) however, combining
with Kazari (Display) it means, to consciously organize a display that uses the entire allotted space. Toko-kazari
(Tokonoma display) and Tana kazari (Shelf display) are a form of Seki-kazari.
SEKIJOJU
Root over rock
SEKI-KAZARI
Displaying in individual booths
SEKKAI IOU GOUZAI
Lime sulphur mix.
SEKKAN or SETSU KAN
Distance between nodes.
SHAKAN
Slanting style
SHARIMIKI
Deadwood on the trunk, more commonly called “shari.”
SHIBUI
A simple beauty that defies description
SHICKIKAN
Tree with seven trunks
SHIDARE-ZUKURI
Weeping form
SHIME KOMU
Komu literally means "crowded." To make compact.
SHIN
An apex of a tree. Also a very formal display.
SHIN SHO
New growth
SHINKIRE EDA
A stubbed branch
SHINNASHI
No apex
SHIZEN
Natural
SHIZEN-BAN
A slab of wood formed by sawing a disk of wood out of a trunk. Used to display large bonsai.
SHIZEN-ZUKURI
Natural shape
SHO HAKU
Coniferous trees.
SHO KI
Bonsai from collected specimens.
SHO-SHAKAN
Tree with a minimal slant
SHU BOKU
Primary tree. The main tree in the display, such as in the Seki kazari.
SHU KAN
Main trunk
SO
A casual display
SOGU-KI
A trunk split in two
SOJU
Two individual trees, but displayed together in a pot as a unit
SOKAN
Twin-trunk
SUIBAN
"Water basin." Shallow water tray without drainage holes for display rock plantings.
SUI-SEK
Waterstone
SUISEKI
Rocky landscape. Commonly known in the west as Viewing stones.
SUKASU
Literally, "To look through." To thin. Reducing the number of leaves, branches, buds, roots, etc.
TACHI AGARI
Literally, "Standing upward." Baseline of a trunk.
TACHI AGARI KENGAI
Upright cascade
TACHI EDA
Upgrowing branch
TACHIKI or TACHI-GI
Informal upright tree
TAKAN-KENGAI
More than two trunks cascading
TAKE-DAI
Woven bamboo mat to display bonsai
TAKI-KENGAIN
Waterfall cascade
TAKU
Stand
TAMA-ZUKURI
Ball or sphere shaped tree
TANA KAZARI
Shelf display. Display stand in shape of a box; a stand primarily used for displaying 'Shohin-Bonsai' with
accompanying accessory items.
TANUKI
“Badger,” literally taken from the badger spirits of ancient Japan who would play tricks on unwary travelers. This
form of bonsai is often considered a “trick” or “cheat” in Japan. Form where sapling is attached to deadwood to
create the illusion of an older tree. Also known as a 'Phoenix Graft'.
TOKONOMA
Traditional display area in a Japanese house where bonsai are brought inside for a short period and displayed
with accent plantings and calligraphy. Can also house ikeban (flower arrangements).
TORI KI
Airlayering
TORI KI MONO
Bonsai obtained through airlayering
TSUCHI
Soil
TSUGI HO
Scion.
TSUGI KI
Grafting
UE TSUCHI
Literally "Top Soil." Planting Soil
UKE EDA
Balancing branch. Balancing or secondary branch that is shorter than and can appear above or below the Kiki Eda
(Primary Branch); has the role of holding together and enhancing the overall design.
USHIRO EDA
Back branch. Branch that extends to the rear to give the tree depth.
WABI
Artistic zen concept. Stillness or loneliness. An absence of superfluous material possessions.
WAKA GI
Young tree.
YAKU EDA
Essential branches
YAMADORI
Collected material. Yama, literally “Mountain.” Though classically associated with collecting from the mountains, the
phrase is often used to describe general outdoor collecting.
YAMAHORI or YAMA-YORI or YAMA-YOSE
A trunk composed of several fused trees due to their developing close together from seeds.
YOKO-NAGASHI KENGAI
Sidesweeping cascade
YOSE UE
Group planting
YUMI-KAN
A bow shaped trunk
Size Classifications
Note: Exact sizes for each class vary from one authority to another.
These are generally accepted sizes, but by no means the *only*
method of categorizing them.
MAME
“Bean, pea” bonsai less than 15cm/6in tall
SHOHIN
bonsai 15-30cm/6-12in tall
KIFU
bonsai 30-60cm/12-24in tall
CHU
bonsai 60-90cm/24-36in tall
DAI
“Large size” bonsai over 90cm/36in
Tree Varieties
Japanese names of some varieties of trees.
BENI SHITAN
Cotoneaster horizontalis.
BOKE
Flowering Quince. Chojubai, Flowering Quince "Chojubai."
CHIRIMENKAZURA
Star Jasmine
DESHOUJOU
Japanese red maple, Acer palumatum var. Matsumurae
KAEDE
Maple
KASHI
Oak
KEYAKI
Zelkova
MATSU
Pine. Aka matsu, Red Pine.
SAKURA
Flowering cherry