Page 16 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q1

bci: Tell us how you came to teach Japanese and
Chinese history, culture and religion at Blairstown,
New Jersey.
ms: I was in charge of the grounds at Blair Academy,
but the faculty were fascinated whenever I brought
bonsai into the art gallery. The Department head ap-
proached me one day and asked if I would be inter-
ested in teaching a senior elective course in Japanese
history and culture. Not having any formal schooling
on the subject I was amazed that he asked me. But,
since I was so involved in “things Japanese,” I knew
quite a bit about Japan from my hobby. So I tried,
and a record number of kids signed up for it! Then I
was asked “How about China?” So on it went, and I
spent 22 years crafting their curriculum and teach-
ing Asian Studies at Blair. One of the most rewarding
aspects of this encounter, was that I found out that
I was a natural teacher and that people responded
favorably.
bci: What first inspired you to grow and collect bonsai?
ms: Like many others back in the day, I saw the little
Sunset book on bonsai and it hit me like a freight
train. That was 1972. I didn’t know anyone that
was teaching it or if there were any books on it, so
I labored on my own until 1981 when I met Yuji Yo-
shimura at the New York Botanical Garden and then
Bill Valavanis.
bci: When did you know that bonsai would become a
significant part of your life and what changes did this
bring about to your lifestyle, your teaching career and
your family life?

ms: It became an instant passion and so I built a small
Top; Procumbens Juniper, garden and had a few trees in it. In 1982, I went on a
Juniperus procumbens.
Bottom left; Jack Pine, Pinus tour of Japan to see gardens and bonsai, and it over-
banksiana, 250+ years old. whelmed me. I had to have more gardens and a Japa-
Bottom right; Jack Pine, Pinus nese styled house! When the tour was over, I didn’t
banksiana, 250+ years old.

14 | BCI | January/February/March 2014