La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Do you know what the Japanese word “banzai” means? It means “10 thousand years” of long life. I had no idea. It’s like saying “hurrah” or “long live.” It’s been on my mind because so many people call the art of bonsai “banzai.” And I’m here to share photos of the flowering bonsai from the exhibition (see yesterday’s post).
Hearing it pronounced banzai instead of bonsai always makes my brain hurt a little. Like hearing someone say prostate instead of prostrate. “Poor Joe. He’s gotta have prostrate surgery.” Do you suppose he’ll take it lying down? Banzai!
San Geraldo is at the hardware store to pick up light bulbs while I wait for a package to be picked up. When he returns, I plan to visit one or a few of the Patios of May. I’ve already had breakfast and folded laundry, and it’s not even noon.
¿Sabes qué significa la palabra japonesa “banzai”? Significa “10 mil años” de larga vida. No tenía ni idea. Es como decir “hurra” o “larga vida”. He estado pensando en ello porque mucha gente llama al arte del bonsái “banzai”. Y estoy aquí para compartir fotos de los bonsáis en flor de la exposición (ver la publicación de ayer).
Oír que se pronuncia banzai en lugar de bonsai siempre me da un poco de dolor de cabeza. Como oír a alguien decir próstata en lugar de postrada. “Pobre Joe. Tiene que operarse de la postrada”. ¿Crees que se quedará de acostado (brazos cruzados)? ¡Banzai!
San Geraldo está en la ferretería comprando bombillas mientras espero a que recojan un paquete. Cuando regrese, planeo visitar uno o varios de los Patios de Mayo. Ya desayuné y doblé la ropa, y ni siquiera es mediodía.
• ¡Corriendo con una piruleta en la boca! ¿Te habrían permitido hacer eso? (Yo era.)
Hey Mitchell – I’ve been appreciating reading your blog the last few weeks.
my partner and I are visiting from San Francisco. We are in Córdoba right now, focusing mostly on the south of Spain. Not sure we’ll make it to a patio as we’re in week three and are reaching the overwhelmed phase of travel. La Mezquita was this morning. I’m now in a dark room resting! Best to you. Jeff
Jeff,
I hope my blog has been of help and that you’re enjoying Cordoba. If you do make it to one patio Calle Pastora 2 is worth it. How long are you here?
I was wondering if there were flowering bonsai and if the flowers were also miniaturized. And here’s the answer, thank you.
I think Running with Lollipops would be a good title for an autobiography. Boud
Boud,
I agree, since Running with Scissors is already taken.
Hahahahaha, yes, the very FIRST thing the instructor taught us in the bonsai class I took in Winnipeg 30 years ago was precisely the correct pronunciation of “bonsai” — its common mispronunciation is a major pet peeve among bonsai enthusiasts. So I am always very careful to say “bone-sigh” NOT “bunz-eye.”
Debra,
That poor instructor. Like chalk on a blackboard.
All this talk about bonsai is getting me excited to keep going/trying.
Jim,
I wish you luck. I debated it. Again. And decided against it.
That first bonsai where the plant is leaning out of its container is beautiful.
As for that little girl, I thought it was a cigarette!
I always thought it was bon-sigh, now it’s bone-sigh???
Bob,
Oh sigh. But you CAN teach an old (mayor no viejo) dog new tricks.
My mother would have let me run around with the sucker, she figured I would learn when I fell.
David,
I don’t remember anything ever being said. Then again, I think I was born knowing. I remember the admonishment from my friends with kids.
With the exception of the bougainvillea which has the tortured form but doesn’t look miniaturized, the others just look like small normal sized plants in tiny pots. I mean, how do you bonsai verbena or oxylis or portulaca.
Ellen Abbott,
You’d be surprised by what can be bonsai. These are young. You can find instructions and images of mature oxalis that are very much bonsai.
Beautiful bonsai! (Not banzai!) Didn’t Garfield the cat used to yell “BANZAI!” when he was leaping into or onto something? That’s sticking in my memory for some reason. (I haven’t yet read your previous post so hopefully you didn’t already mention that. 🙂 )
Steve,
Oh I’m sure Garfield would have yelled bonsai before creating something magnificent.
I had no idea there were flowering varieties.
Your second paragraph!! 😂
Kelly,
So many plants can be used. Flowering trees are a common choice. The leaves tend to grow smaller but the flowers are usually full size. It’s stunning.
I went to the libary to read about my prostrate. I hate the mispronunciation of these two words!
Michael,
Well, unfortunately you know the difference well now.
Lovely quite lovely
Anonymous,
I’m so glad I caught it.
As Ellen said…..some of those are just small plants in small pots…..I could do that!! They should just be specially miniaturised trees in my opinion…there is a lot of work in that!! All very pretty though.
Frances
France’s,
Some are very young. They will be trained and as they mature will very clearly fit the style.
The banzai is beautiful!
Rade,
I am always in awe.