[Ads-l] Antedating of "Bonsai"

[Shapiro, Fred]

bonsai (OED 1950)



1928 _Japan Times & Mail_ 11 Dec. 4/6 (Japan Times Archive)  Visitors to the Bonsai exhibition now being held at the Hibiya Park will notice that there are two different kinds of Bonsai.  Bonsai is a miniature tree, and its principle value lies in representing the form and appearance of a gigantic plant in a miniature form. ... The first type is to show the shape and beauty of an old or large tree with a miniature plant, and the second is to present a beautiful and artistic composition as seen in a painting.

Fred Shapiro

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