The art of designing and cultivating "bonsai" (the word means "tree planted in a shallow bowl") emphasizes the harmony of nature and spiritual aspects of human beings. Three thousand years ago, in China, contemplative gardens were constructed with expressive rocks and plants, to resemble the mythical kingdoms of spirit beings. As centuries went by, the art evolved toward a miniature style, which was taken up and developed by the Japanese, whose methods (emphasizing strong aesthetic control, very small plants, and Zen-like simplicity) became popular in the West. In this hour-long instructional video, Australian bonsai artist Georgina Kretschmar presents a simplified version of the rules of bonsai culture, guiding students through the basic steps of transforming a dwarf tree into an elegant work of art. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide