Bonsai first showed up in China over two thousand years ago as a very basic art known as pun-sai. These early trees were rugged with sparse leaves and branches, giving it a struggling, and rather dead sort of look. The trunks and branches could make the tree resemble fantasy creatures such as dragons or elaborate birds.

Bonsai was introduced into Japan sometime during the Kamakura period by means of Jen Bhuddism. Over time, the art grew to be independednt of the religion.

Bonsai trees were brought indoors for display in and or on specially designed cabinets and shelves. Although the pruning and training did not begin until later, they were becoming more real and less "wild".

Over the years Bonsai became more popular the world around and the different styles became more defined.