Journeys in Japan

The Miniature World of Bonsai - Omiya - (4x41)

Air date: Dec 17, 2013

The traditional art of bonsai recreates intricate scenes of nature in miniature, often called "living art". It is now known and loved all over the world. The Omiya Bonsai Village is one of Japan's biggest centers for bonsai. It is located in Saitama Prefecture, just to the north of Tokyo. There are many bonsai nurseries there, run by bonsai masters. There is also a Bonsai Museum, which is the only public museum in the world devoted to the art. Kit Pancoast Nagamura is a photographer who also writes haiku poems. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Kit discovers how these miniature trees are crafted. She talks to veteran enthusiasts and meets young people who are starting to learn the pleasure of cultivating bonsai. And she has a chance to make her very first bonsai.