How does a bunjin garden incorporate bonsai?

In the context of Japanese garden design, the bunjin (or "literary scholar") style is a simple and small garden type that typically incorporates bonsai as a central element.1

This style reflects the aesthetic preferences of the bunjin, who favored a minimalist and refined approach to their surroundings. By integrating bonsai—the art of training and growing dwarf trees in containers—the garden functions as a miniature, curated landscape that invites quiet reflection and meditation. The use of bonsai allows the garden to maintain its small scale while providing the depth and naturalistic beauty characteristic of larger, more elaborate garden designs.12