The Ritual of Bonsai
In The Ritual of Bonsai, a bonsai sensei enjoys the ritual and tradition of cultivating bonsai trees. This video is excerpted from BBC's Extraordinary Rituals, a documentary produced by BBC Natural History that explores how humans mark major life moments through ceremonies and traditions.
Lesson Express
Q: What would happen if a bonsai was allowed to grow naturally?
A: They would be normal trees. Some would be huge.
Q: What does the sensei like about taking care of bonsai?
A: She likes the ritual and tradition.
Q: What did you notice about the care needed to grow bonsai?
A: Student responses will vary. They may talk about how detailed the work is or how it needs to be passed down from generation to generation.
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