The Bonsai Bear

Issa is the greatest bonsai master in all of Japan. With his special techniques, he is able to make trees stay small and perfectly shaped. His wife Kyomi is skilled in the arts of painting and weaving, so their lives are filled with beauty. But something is missing: they have no children.

One day, they receive an unusual gift, an orphan bear cub. They quickly fall in love with the delightful little bear and name him Doukeshi. Since the Emperor forbids the keeping of wild animals, Issa uses bonsai techniques to prevent the tiny bear from growing. Issa even tries to make him look like a cat so no one will notice.

Kyomi wants Doukeshi to grow so he can run freely in the forest. But Issa loves him too much to let him go. Finally, the God of Bears visits Issa in a dream and shows him that the greatest love is allowing Doukeshi to return to his wild nature.