The earliest proof of bonsai in China was found in the tomb of a prince, Prince Zhang Huai. Two paintings that were found in the tomb showed servants carrying plants that resembled bonsai. The date of this tomb was 706, during the Tang Dynasty.
The art of bonsai reached Japan about the Helan period, which was 794 though 1191. In the begining, Japanese creating bonsai were only in wealthy families. This (orginally) Chinese art form did not become popular in Japan until the 14th century.
The Japanese worked very hard to refine the art of bonsai. They had a great passion for growing plants and gardens. Their developments of this art form have made bonsai what it is today.
The bonsai reached the west with the Paris exhibitions of 1878, 1889, 1900 and the London exhibit of 1909. In the earlier years westerners seemed to think that the trees looked tortured and many complained about their treatment. In 1935 the bonsai was eventually declared an art form in the west.
Today bonsai trees are found just about everywhere in the United States. Unfortunately, they are not really the true bonsai, but only young cuttings called pre-bonsai. Quality bonsai take many years to grow and develop.
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