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international friendship
Bonsai & Stone News
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BCI Board Member Nikunj Parekh
receives Japan’s Order of the
Rising Sun

ne of our board members, BCI 2nd Vice
President Nikunj Parekh, was recently award-
Oed the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun by the
Consul General of Japan in India. This is the highest
award the Japanese government presents to a non-Jap-
anese citizen and only a few people worldwide receive
it. The screening and review process conducting by
Japanese officials before giving this award is a rigor-
ous process, one that eliminates many candidates. It
was presented to Nikunj in recognition for his many
contributions to promoting Japanese arts and culture
in India, especially bonsai.
In his acceptance speech, Nikunj recalled his first
bonsai experience, “This took me back to the year Crafts, Tourism, Bonsai and Business. Building bridg-
1970, when during my first visit to Japan, as a mem- es of friendship with Japan became a reality. “Sister
ber of a delegation of the plastics industry and on a city relationship between Mumbai and Yokohama,
Top left; The Order of the weekend, I could visit the famous Expo 1970 at Tenri Language skills, Technical training, teaching Bonsai,
Rising Sun is a Japanese Gardening and editing Nichin Bonsai magazine since
order, established in 1875 by Hills near Osaka. Here I saw Bonsai of the highest 1985, widened my horizons. More than anything else
Emperor Meiji of Japan. The order for the first time.”
badge features rays of sunlight When he returned home, his stories of the bonsai I absorbed gradually the unique qualities of patience,
from the rising sun. The design trees inspired his wife Jyoti to learn about bonsai. A courtesy and meticulous planning. As a proponent of
of the Rising Sun symbolizes few years later, in 1979, amongst the stress and un- Bonsai and other Japanese Arts, my love for nature,
energy as powerful as the greenery, micro and macro environment and events
rising sun in parallel with the certainty of the labor strikes in Mumbai that affected planning got a boost.”
“rising sun” concept of Japan, Nikunj’s industry, he sought refuge in the peaceful
“Land of the Rising Sun.” hobby of bonsai and Jyoti became his Adi Guru or Nikunj also acknowledged his Indian colleagues, “I
first teacher. He joined the Bonsai Study Group of cannot forget my mentors, Mr. Gopal Pohekar, Mr.
Top right; BCI 2nd Vice- the Indo-Japanese Association Mumbai where 30 Lalji Mehrotra, Mr. SP Godrej, Mr. Minoo Shroff, Mr.
president Nikunj Parekh, years since, Nikunj has served in positions of General Suresh Kotak, Mr. Vinaya Mehrotra and all my en-
recipient of the Order of the Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and currently as lightened colleagues.” In conclusion, he added, “I am
Rising Sun. all the more inspired that the Government of Japan
Bottom right; a member of the President. has appreciated my small effort. This is possible only
Japanese Consulate, Nikunj In the early ’80s, Nikunj was instrumental in bring- when we walk together in the onward journey with
and Jyoti Parekh. ing John Naka to India from whom he learned bonsai
techniques and bonsai etiquettes. From Saburo Kato, purpose, as united we bloom & divide we wither.”
who he calls a father figure, he learned about bonsai Congratulations to Nikunj for this well deserved
techniques, the spirit of bonsai and its philosophy with honor!
the life principles of bonsai artists. Then in 1985, he
met Toshio Kawamoto, who introduced him to min-
iature tray landscapes called Saikei.
Since 1982, he has visited Japan twenty three times
where he met many Japanese people in the field of Arts,

58 | BCI | July/August/September 2015