Bonkei
/boʊnˈkeɪ/noun
A Japanese miniature landscape arranged on a tray, often using rocks, sand, plants, and small figures.
Did you know?Bonkei is closely related to the Chinese art of penjing, whose traditions helped inspire Japan’s better-known bonsai culture, although bonkei emphasizes an entire scenic composition rather than a single tree.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
盆
“A basin, bowl, or tray; the source of Japanese bon.”
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
景
“A view, scene, landscape, or reflected image; the source of Japanese kei.”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
盆景
“A tray scene or miniature landscape, read in Sino-Japanese as bonkei.”
19th Century
Japanese
盆景
“A recognized Japanese art of constructing scenic miniature landscapes on trays.”
Modern English
English
bonkei
“A Japanese tray landscape, used especially in discussions of miniature gardening and traditional arts.”