A Glossary/Dictionary of Bonsai Terms

Akamatsu (赤松) is the Japanese name for the red pine tree (Pinus densiflora), which is native to mountainous regions of Japan and noted for its reddish bark. Akamatsu is often used in bonsai, the art of growing miniature trees in containers, because of its elegant and slender trunk and gentle, long and thin leaves. Akamatsu is also called mematsu (female pine) in contrast to kuromatsu (Japanese black pine), which is more dynamic and robust. To grow akamatsu bonsai, one should use well-drained soil and water the tree moderately after the soil surface dries up. Fertilization should be done sparingly to avoid excessive leaf growth. Akamatsu bonsai can be styled in various ways, such as formal upright, informal upright, slanting, or literati.

Amai (甘い) is a Japanese i-adjective that means 'sweet' in English. It is used to describe a sweet taste, such as in fruits, desserts, or drinks. It can also be used metaphorically to mean 'naive', 'indulgent', or 'sugary' .

In bonsai, amai is a term that refers to the amount of sprinkling water. It means that the water is 'sweet' or 'gentle', meaning that it is not too strong or too much for the bonsai tree. Amai water is suitable for delicate or young bonsai trees that need careful watering.

The apex of a bonsai tree is the highest point of its trunk and branches, where the foliage forms a rounded or triangular shape. The apex is an important element of the bonsai's design, as it reflects the tree's style, age and character. The apex should be balanced with the rest of the tree, neither too heavy nor too sparse, and should create a sense of harmony and continuity. The apex should also be slightly tilted to one side, to avoid a symmetrical and unnatural appearance. The apex can be shaped by pruning, wiring and bending the branches, depending on the desired effect and the type of tree.

Apical is a term used in bonsai to describe the most vigorous growth produced by a tree, usually at the furthest points from the root system, such as the upper and outermost branches. Apical dominance refers to the tendency of trees to grow more at the top than at the bottom. Apical dominance can be reduced by pruning the terminal buds, which stimulates back budding and ramification. Apical dominance is important for creating slant style bonsai, where the apex is located away from the center of the trunk.

Araki (荒木) is a term that refers to a yamadori bonsai, or a tree collected from the wild, that has not yet reached its full potential as a bonsai. Araki means "tree of the mountain" in Japanese, and it implies that the collector respects the nature and the history of the tree, and aims to create a bonsai that can be passed down for generations.