The literal translation for the Japanese word bonsai is "plant in a tray," but bonsai are much more than that. They are an attempt by man to react and interact with nature, to honor Mother Nature by replicating some of her more unusual creations.

Have you ever stopped to admire a windswept cypress growing along the seashore, or marveled at the tenacity of a dwarfed and twisted pine growing from a crack in a rock? If so, you will appreciate the art of bonsai.

From 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai society will hold its annual plant show and will provide an opportunity to gain an appreciation of bonsai, and to learn something about the creative process involved. This year at 1:30 p.m. a sensai master, Katsumi Kinoshita, will design a bonsai for the edification of those present, after which his creation will be given away as a raffle prize.

Kinoshita has been awarded some of the greatest honors in the bonsai community, including the coveted Green and White award from the Agricultural Society of Japan, and the Circle of Sensai award, which is bestowed by the Golden State Bonsai Federation.

The art of bonsai dates back more than a thousand years and is said to have originated in China, though the practice of dwarfing trees is known to have occurred in India prior to then, according to "Successful Bonsai," by David Squire. Bonsai reflects a religious philosophy that embraces the idea that trees, rock and other natural entities have a soul. One school of thought is that bonsai plants represent the bodies of immortal souls inhabiting the next world.

Indeed, when one gazes upon a bonsai, it is immediately evident that each tree has its own distinct personality and character. One bonsai enthusiast has said that each bonsai should tell a story. Bonsai designers celebrate the imperfection and trials and tribulations that are the life experience of all living things.

For example, a dead branch, known as "gin," is coveted; a partially dead trunk, called "shari," is carefully nurtured. The art of bonsai makes a powerful statement: Rather than bemoaning our struggles and imperfections, we should wear them with pride because they are what makes each of us unique.

There are numerous forms of bonsai: wind-swept, clump a group of trees growing from a single base groves, driftwood and trees with roots growing over a rock. There are also different styles of tree form: A formal upright, "chokkan," has a very straight trunk, as opposed to an informal upright, "moyogi," which has a slanted or bent trunk but must reach its apex directly over its base as does the formal upright.

Thomas Leonard, vice president of Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai, demonstrates several examples in his collection that reflect these different styles. One, a perfectly shaped 2-foot-tall sempervirens, looks as if it belongs in Henry Cowell and is a striking example of a formal upright.

Bonsai enthusiasts spend a lot of time and effort on their art — pruning, shaping and bending their plants to achieve the desired result. Branches and trunks are directed and bent by wrapping heavy wire around the limbs, which are then bent a little bit at a time to encourage the tree to grow into the intended form. In addition to bending and pruning the foliage, the plant must be periodically removed from its pot, soil shaken off the root ball, and the roots pruned back to retard the plant's growth. Root pruning is the key to creating a bonsai, especially in the "shohin" [a tiny thing] form, which holds that no specimen exceed 10 inches in height.

If you are an avid gardener, or simply a nature lover, or even someone who just appreciates a fine work of art, check out the Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai show. The members of Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai are eager to share their knowledge and love of bonsai with the public. Perhaps you will even be lucky enough to walk away with the raffle prize.

David Walzer is a landscape contractor, nature lover, and an appreciator of fine art. Contact him at 234-9472.

If You Go

WHAT: Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai show.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Demonstration at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz.

COST: $3 suggested donation, raffle and plant sale.

DETAILS: 423-6457.

More information

The Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai is a local club devoted to promoting and teaching bonsai as an artform. Regular meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Live Oak Grange Hall, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz.