Page 12 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q1

Top; Seigen Japanese
maple, Acer palmatum
‘Seigen,’ trained from
a young grafted tree
since the early 1970s.
The intense red foliage
contrasts sharply with
the dark blue container.
This bonsai received an
“Exceptional Tree Award”
in the 2013 World Bonsai
Friendship Federation
Photo Contest.
Bottom; Silverberry,
Eleagnus pungens, trained
in the two line cascade
style. The handmade
American container by
Ron Lang was a gift to
Mr. Valavanis to com-
memorate his 50th year
of bonsai study.

The second was a custom, handmade, commemo-
rative bonsai container made by Ron Lang. The pot
was commissioned by a group of Bill’s loyal friends
known as “the Crew.” Jon Robbins and Marc Arpag
presented the pot to Bill.
Yuji Yoshimura’s daughter Emi, shared with me the
following, “Recently, I think about what my father
tried to teach to everyone through bonsai. I think it is
not just skills. Through the beauty of bonsai he wanted
to convey the respect for nature and through the hard
efforts in making bonsai, I think that he wanted to
show that it would develop ones inner self. I am still
thinking about this”.
Bill is the embodiment of the true spirit of bonsai
friendship, respect, love of nature and people and
development of inner spirit shared through bonsai. I
know that his teachers are as proud as we are thankful.
We are all fortunate that William N. Valavanis con-
tinues to share his passion and creations with the
world!

10 | BCI | January/February/March 2014