Bonsai
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The FroGames Card
Some meditate, some place a leaf, some realize too late they are missing a flower. And in the end, no one looks at the score: they look at the tree.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT
A game of composition, patience, and impossible choices
Ghenos Games (originally Bonsai) is by the Italian trio Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzì, and Martino Chiacchiera, with delicate illustrations by Davood Moghaddami. Published by DV Games in 2023, it brings the Japanese art of bonsai to the table: each player cultivates their own miniature tree, tile by tile, trying to fulfill imperial objectives before others.
Each turn you choose between meditating (drawing a card and corresponding tiles) or cultivating (placing tiles in your bonsai). Growth cards and your Seishi tile determine how many tiles you can place. When your tree meets an objective, you can claim it or forgo it to aim for a more difficult one. The game ends when the deck runs out: each tile is worth points, but the shape matters as much as the numbers.
What they say abroad
An elegant composition puzzle, where every choice is a sacrifice.
— FroGames
"Bonsai captures the meditative quality of its theme without losing strategic tension."
Bonsai captures the meditative quality of its theme without losing strategic tension.
— Meeple Mountain
Ghenos Games (Bonsai)
The game includes additional dedicated scenarios for solo play, with modified objectives and the final Emperor's Challenge. The experience is complete and the puzzle remains intact, but you lose the competitive timing of drafting against other players.
FrogScore · FroGames.it editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsThe master's tools
What's in the box (and what you do with it)
Bonsai Tiles
Wood, leaves, flowers, fruits: each type has a point value and a precise shape. You compose them on a hexagonal grid, and the position matters as much as the type.
Growth Cards
Give you symbols that allow you to cultivate. The more you have, the more tiles you place in a turn. But they take up space in your hand and you have to choose when to keep them.
Imperial Objectives
Combinations of tiles and shapes to achieve. When you fulfill them, you can claim them immediately or forgo them to attempt a more difficult (and riskier) objective.
Seishi Tile
Your personal mastery: shows how many and which tiles you can place per turn. It's your base limit, which Growth cards temporarily increase.
Recommended sleeves 51 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last a long time.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 62.9 × 88.2 mm | 51 |
| Total cards | 51 |
🎲How to PlayThe rules in four steps▼
How to Play
The flow of each round
Ghenos Games is a turn-based game. On your turn, you choose one of two possible actions, then pass to the next player.
If you meditate, take an face-up Growth card from the board and all Bonsai tiles pictured below that card. If you cultivate, place tiles from your personal supply into your bonsai.
Your Seishi tile and the Growth cards you hold show symbols (wood, leaf, flower, fruit). Each symbol allows you to place one tile of the corresponding type. You can place as many as you have symbols.
Tiles must be placed on a hexagonal grid, respecting their shape and type. Wood forms the trunk and branches, leaves and flowers grow on the ends. Each placement choice influences the achievable objectives.
If your bonsai meets an available objective, you must choose immediately: claim it (take the tile and its points) or forgo it to attempt a more difficult objective in later turns. Those who forgo risk others taking it first.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
First turns: everyone meditates
No one cultivates immediately. Everyone takes cards and tiles, building up their supply for subsequent turns. You watch what your neighbor drafts and understand what objective they are aiming for. Do you take what you need or what you deny them?
The first roots
Someone starts placing tiles. The bonsai grows slowly, one tile at a time. You realize that shape is more important than number: a leaf in the wrong place can ruin an objective for you.
The race for objectives
Someone claims the first objective. You are one tile away. You decide whether to settle for the second available objective or forgo it to attempt the 7-point one that requires three consecutive flowers. The risk is that someone else takes it first.
The moment you run out of symbols
You have the right tiles in hand, but your Seishi tile only allows you two placements and you would need three wood symbols. Someone suggests a Growth card you discarded turns ago. Too late. You improvise, place what you can, and hope.
The last turn and the count
The deck runs out. Everyone cultivates one last time, adjusting details. Then the count: points from objectives, points from tiles, various bonuses. But everyone looks at the trees, not the numbers. Someone takes a picture.
🐸What to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
What to know beforehand
Three things you need to know
With 4 players it slows down
Open drafting requires constant attention: everyone looks at all the cards, calculates, waits. With four people at the table, the initial turns can become long. With two or three, it flows better.
It's not a solitaire puzzle
It seems like a game where everyone builds their own bonsai, but drafting is competitive: you take the cards you need or the ones that block others. If you ignore what your neighbors are doing, you lose.
The first game is exploratory
Objectives are visible from the start, but understanding which ones are achievable with the available cards requires a breaking-in game. Don't expect to optimize on the first try: the second game is much more informed.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win (and how to lose)
The game ends when the last card of the deck is revealed. At that point, the final count is made.
Victory points
- Each tile in your bonsai is worth points (wood 1, leaf 2, flower 3, fruit 4)
- Claimed objectives give fixed points (from 4 to 7 depending on difficulty)
- Bonuses for majority of a tile type or for special combinations
Fatal errors
- Forgoing an easy objective hoping for a difficult one that someone else then snatches from you
- Meditating too long without cultivating: tiles in reserve are not worth points
- Ignoring others' drafts and finding out too late that they blocked your key cards
Ghenos Games is a light eurogame disguised as a zen game: immediate rules, hidden depth, and a physical object that makes you want to photograph it. Ideal for those seeking strategy without heaviness.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Ghenos Games (Bonsai)
What mechanics does Ghenos Games use?
The game combines open drafting (you choose cards visible to everyone), tile placement (you build the bonsai on a hexagonal grid), pattern building (you fulfill objectives with shapes and combinations), and contracts (imperial objectives). There is also an official solo mode with dedicated scenarios.
Is it suitable for those unfamiliar with modern board games?
Yes. The rules can be explained in 10 minutes, the two actions are intuitive, and the theme helps understand what you're doing. Strategic depth only emerges after a few turns, but it's not necessary to understand it to enjoy the first game.
How long does a game really last?
The box says 40 minutes, and it's credible: with players who know the rules, it takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the number of people. The first game might be 10-15 minutes longer for the explanation and breaking-in phase.
Can it be played well solo?
Yes, the solo mode is official and well-crafted: additional scenarios, modified objectives, and the final Emperor's Challenge. The puzzle remains intact, but you lose the competitive timing of drafting against human opponents. Rating: 4/5 for solo.
Is this edition in Italian or English?
This edition published by Italinao is in English. The cards have minimal text (symbols and component names), the rulebook is in English. Language dependence is low: after the first reading of the manual, you play by just looking at the symbols.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Ghenos Games (originally Bonsai) is a light strategy and composition board game for 1-4 players, lasting 40 minutes, recommended age 10+. Designed by Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzì, and Martino Chiacchiera, published by DV Games (Italinao edition in English). It combines open drafting, tile placement, and pattern building in a zen but competitive experience: you cultivate your bonsai tile by tile, choosing between meditating (taking cards and tiles) and cultivating (placing tiles in your tree). Imperial objectives reward specific combinations, but you can forgo an easy objective to attempt a more difficult and risky one. Includes an official solo mode with dedicated scenarios. Available on FroGames.it with immediate shipping.
Bonsai
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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