Penjing: An Ancient Art with a Modern Twist by Keith Davies

Creating a miniature replica of a favorite vacation spot, a memory from your childhood, a postcard, photograph, or a place known only in your dreams is easily done using the ancient gardening techniques of penjing, bonsai, saikei, and/or bonkei. The techniques are simple. Basic gardening skills, a container, soil, and a selection of plants and miniature objects are all that's needed. By using these techniques, you can create a distant vista, or a happy place you once visited. A tiny landscape which reflects a greater beauty. A thing of beauty which will allow you to travel the world in your mind, or a gift which will brighten the life of another person. Penjing, bonsai, saikei and bonkei have become ways of displaying the harmony of form, shape and scale of life in miniature all year long. A means of displaying the natural rhythms of Mother Nature in our homes, offices, or personal spaces.

The hobby of creating miniature landscape is particularly well suited to seniors, apartment dwellers, disabled individuals, indoor and light gardeners, or those who haven't the luxury of a yard. They are easily accomplished, fun to create, and return your efforts with months of enjoyment.

A table in a comfortable, well lighted area is the only platform you will need to create your landscape composition. The tools required are common everyday items. A spoon, spray bottle, chopsticks, scissors or clippers, a small brush, and a pair of tweezers will do quite nicely. A selection of plant material (see below), soil, a suitable container, architectural features and figurines purchased from gifts shops, toy stores, a florist or from the internet are the remaining ingredients needed to create 'your masterpiece in miniature.' It doesn't require you being outside. It doesn't require assistance. It doesn't require special tools.

You control the life cycle and environment. The plant depends upon you for its existence. If you fail to provide the necessary elements of food, water, light and temperature they will die, but if you nurture the small plants they will lend you their sense of inner peace and visual beauty, and a means of traveling to that place your mind created. The landscapes can be shared with friends and family, or you can maintain it as a special place where only you can visit.

Although saikei and bonkei are basically a means of presenting