Jidai means age in Japanese and refers to a bonsai tree’s condition after having been in existence for ages. Whether the tree is old or not appears in its thickness or bark, and its setting is expressed in such a way as ”its age is good” or ”it’s empty of age.” The word jidai is widely used to depict an antiquated look in the trunk’s appearance and shape or the skin of the trunk of an old tree. It is also used as a synonym for ”koshoku” (antique look) and ”sabi” (elegant simplicity) when relating to water, stone or a natural stone kept indoors for appreciation. Jidai testifies to a bonsai tree that manifests old refined sensibility after the years of cultivation as bonsai in a pot.

translated by Kyodo News