Page 48 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q3

or even imagined bonsai of such beauty and quality.
They were now motivated to learn more on how to get
beauty of that quality. A real inspiration!
A few years passed before they visited Japan again,
but their love for all things Japanese was quietly grow-
ing and they couldn’t wait to of return to Japan. They
decided to take the plunge and travel independently
this time, ensuring they could visit some top bonsai
nurseries as well. All proved not quite as easy as they
had thought. Fortunately, they were blessed with a

Left column, top to bottom; good relationship with a UK bonsai professional that
Mark and a friend harvesting had spent time training in Japan. He was generous in
Koi at a mud pond in offering advice and help. Soon they were deep into
Mushigame, Niigata. travel plans. Organizing this trip was quite an under-
Koju-en Shohin nursery, Kyoto taking and took almost a year in the planning and
Shuga-ten Shohin show sales now included a visit to Masahiko Kimura’s garden. In
area. Japan, you do not just turn up at someone’s garden. It
Viewing day at a Shohin is considered polite to arrange such visits in advance.
auction. Also, it pays to have an introduction from yet another
UK professional. Visiting Kimura-san’s garden was a
Right column, top to bottom; major highlight and memorable experience in what
Green club sales area at Shuga- was to prove another life changing experience. This
ten Shohin show. time they made their first visit to Omiya Bonsai Vil-
Mark admiring a Juniper at lage, with its relaxed atmosphere and bonsai masters
Syojyu-en owned by Takashi
Iura. who are used to “bonsai tourists.” Here they met To-
mio Yamada, the owner of the famous Seiko-en, and
his daughter Kaori, who had previously visited the UK
and had the advantage of speaking good English. Her
visit to the UK and to the home of Ruth Stafford-Jones,
an early pioneer of Bonsai in the UK, made an excel-
lent talking point, which then led to Yamada-san in-
viting them to see his collection in his private garden.
A further indelible impression was made on this
pair becoming fast obsessed, and back home again,
they were even more determined learn more and

46 | BCI | July/August/September 2014