NABF Newsletter #1

Feature #4

John's California Bonsai Society

by Cheryl Manning

A Tribute to John Naka requires knowing a little about him, his closest friends, and the California Bonsai Society (CBS) that he and others founded. CBS is the oldest known bonsai club in North America. This article first appeared in their BONSAI IN CALIFORNIA; Vol. 26, pages 42-44, March 2002. © California Bonsai Society 2001; Reprinted with permission.

As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, it's appropriate to look back on the rich history of California Bonsai Society. But the beginning doesn't actually begin 45 years ago. Necessity is often the mother of invention. And when the first opportunity to display bonsai in public was presented to a group of bonsai aficionados, it became necessary to create a formal bonsai organization. This small group of primarily Japanese-Americans saw the benefit of sharing their passion with others. Predicting that this Japanese art would appeal to many, they formed the Southern California Bonsai Club.

Their first display at the San Gabriel Valley Fall Flower and Garden Show in Pasadena garnered them not only a blue ribbon and trophy but also public admiration. Interest and participation in this club increased; by 1953, when the club name was changed to Southern California Bonsai Society, there were over 40 members, including several Caucasians. In 1958, in an effort to expand beyond the confines of Southern California, the club was renamed once more -- to California Bonsai Society.

By 1958, the club had grown to over 100 members and was ready to put on its first show. John Naka had seen a beautiful exhibition of Ikebana at the California State Museum of Science and Industry and thought that this was the perfect place to showcase bonsai. The museum staff agreed with him, and this annual show became the most popular exhibition at the museum. But this 34 year relationship came to an end when the museum was shut down for extensive earthquake repairs.

Above: First Annual Show, at the California State Museum of Science and Industry, 1958. Photo courtesy of California Bonsai Society.

Fortunately, the beauty and popularity of this show made it easy to find a new home. And since 1991, the annual show of California Bonsai Society has been held at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino. With its beautiful Japanese gardens and collection of bonsai, it is the perfect place to exhibit.

Above: California Bonsai Society, April 1966. John is in the first row, 4th from the right. Photo courtesy of California Bonsai Society.

To capture the beauty of bonsai, in 1969 California Bonsai Society began printing an annual magazine titled Bonsai in California. The photographs of bonsai were taken during the previous year. The early covers, photographed by John Naka, depicted in nature what inspires us to create bonsai.

And when John found that perfect photo, he did whatever was necessary to take it. For the cover of volume 6, while returning from a trip to Santa Maria, he saw a lone oak on a hill. But to get the perfect shot, he had to lie down. Unfortunately, he did not notice the pile of cow manure under his chest. But once he got back in the car, Alice did.

And for volume 7, he captured a beautiful coastal shot. What he didn't realize was that the tide was coming in. He was trapped by the ocean and had to climb the cliff he'd just photographed.
Gone are the days of annual magazines. In 1992, the club began printing the magazine every five years to coincide with the convention organized and conducted by members. But viewing the old volumes is like taking a trip down memory lane: not only do you relive the show, but you also see how the trees have grown, developed, and matured.

Five dedicated bonsai enthusiasts founded California Bonsai Society: Mr. Morihei Furuya, Mr. Frank Nagata, Mr. John Naka, Mrs. Ai Okumura, and Mr. Joseph Yamashiro. Their love of bonsai was contagious; soon, people were eager to learn more. Bonsai nurseries and classes (many of which were owned or conducted by club members) along with the monthly meetings of California Bonsai Society provided the material and information needed by new members.

We are fortunate that one of our founding members, John Naka, is still sharing his artistry and knowledge with the club. For several decades he has traveled the world as an ambassador of bonsai, teaching thousands of people. As our resident club sensei, John was one of the first to introduce collecting native trees for bonsai. His informative and entertaining teaching style has endeared him to all members. John often talks about how the art of bonsai is an art for all -- transcending nationality, gender, socioeconomic status, and religion; the diversity in our club roster attests to his observation.

Bonsai is an ever changing art. The finished piece does not exist, because all living objects change with time. But the journey one takes in creating bonsai is priceless. And the people who take that journey share a passion that generates memories to last a lifetime. California Bonsai Society is rich with 45 years of history, and its 140 members insure that precious memories will be made for years to come.