This little tray planting was assembled from spare foliage laying around the garden, the main focus of this composition is obviously the colorful 3 inch tall old antique sage mud figures positioned just off center of the landscape, ...
In Japanese, bonsai can be literally translated as 'tray planting' but since originating in Asia, so many centuries ago - it has developed into a whole new form.
bonkei - tray plantings containing stones, trees, plants and figurines
branch bender - a clamp or jack used to bend branches or trunk
branch splitter - a cutting tool used to divide branch or trunk to allow it to be bent more easily.
The word bonsai literally translates to mean tray planting, but over time it has grown and taken an entirely new form.
Therefore, the two words put together give you the translation of "tray growing" or "tray planting". When you say the word, "Bonsai" to people, they usually think of a type of tree.
The word bonsai is pronounced "bone - sigh" and literally translates to "tray planting". It is a two character word meaning "tray" and "to plant".
Kusamomo
Kusamomo plantings are small tray plantings of grass or bulbs used as a compliment to bonsai displays.
In summary, I do sense that knowing what we do about Chinese and Japanese traditions, culture and bonsai specifically, that the BON SAI kanji as "Tray Planting" interpretation always felt a little too simplistic.
 See also: Bonsai, Tree, Plant, Pot, Planting
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