Bonsai is an art form that requires years of training and centuries of dedication . At the 2012 international bonsai convention , a tree was on sale for 100,000,000 yen (949,172 USD) . And many more of these trees are considered completely priceless .
Here are the reasons for Bonsai being so expensive :
Bonsai is the art of dwarfing a regular tree to create a perfect miniature representation of nature in a small pot . It has a long history . Originating in China , the practice of creating tiny trees and landscapes appeared as far back as the sixth century .
The tree's growth is restricted by years of pruning , wiring , repotting and grafting . And the plants needs to be checked on and often watered every day . The skills required to grow these trees plays a huge part in their value . The're often bent and twisted into shape , positioned around rocks , or even placed with other trees to simulate a tiny forest . Many of these techniques takes years to master . And any errors made can result in permanently ruining the shape or even killing a plant that has been growing for centuries .
Chiako Yamamoto is a fourth-generation bonsai master based in central Japan . She's been creating and selling bonsai for the last 51 years . And one of the hardest skills to master when growing these plants is patience . The time and devotion this process requires is unlike almost any other form of artwork .
While the work is almost a form of sculpture , the plants are living things and will always react in their own way . Some of the most valuable bonsai are over 800 years old .
The Bonsai pots and the tools used are often handmade and can cost thousands of dollars themselves . Certain types of tree are also harder to grow or require certain techniques and may fetch a higher price . But more than anything , these trees are works of art , valued for their beauty and the vision of the artist .
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