NABF Newsletter #1

Feature #5

The History of Goshin
(Protector of the spirit)

by William N. Valavanis

Bonsai master John Y. Naka’s most famous bonsai is probably the most well known bonsai in North America, if not the world. This forest-style bonsai of Foemina juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina,’ has a long and interesting history.

Above: The main tree in 1953.

In 1948 John skillfully combined and planted together two specimens of Foemina juniper of identical height and trunk diameters, which he shaped into a two-tree style bonsai. This cultivar of Juniper has been widely trained for bonsai in Southern California because it resembles the famous Needle juniper, Juniperus rigida of Japan, and generally has straight trunk shapes.

In 1953 John created another formal upright Foemina juniper bonsai as a demonstration for his first bonsai class. During the same year he visited Del Amo Home Nursery and found another Foemina juniper, only this specimen was much larger. The owner sold it to John because it had a slight bend in the trunk. It was first thinned out in the field before it was dug and wrapped in burlap. Later it was potted in a large tin training tub and the top was reduced. By 1960 the bonsai had developed to a point where it was potted into a bonsai container.

Above: The main tree in 1960

Above: In 1963

In order to make additional bench space for his growing bonsai collection John decided to combine these three Foemina juniper bonsai compositions, (with a total of four trunks) and create a forest-style bonsai. In Japan he remembered a Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica, forest near a shrine. He wanted to recreate the majestic impression of the tall Cryptomeria in a bonsai container. Additional specimens were needed for the future forest so Mas Imai offered him three specimens to create a seven-tree composition.

In 1964 John used the Foemina junipers to create a seven-tree forest style bonsai. The smallest tree in the back was the first bonsai he created for a public demonstration. Soon after planting, the number six tree died, as did many of the replaced trees which followed. After examining and studying the container, John discovered that the base of the tree was too far away from a drainage hole. After drilling an additional drainage hole below the position of the number six tree, its future replacement thrived, grew and was an important element in the forest style bonsai.

Above: Goshin in 1968

Above: In 1969

Several friends, including bonsai artists Richard Ota and George Yamaguchi, suggested that John name his treasured bonsai he was so proud of. After much thought and remembering the Cryptomeria forest which inspired the forest bonsai original creation he decided to name it “Meigo” also called “Goshin”, which means “protector of the spirit”.

When John originally created Goshin he had seven grandchildren, each represented by a tree in the forest. When his oldest grandson asked him which tree represented him, John’s answer was the smallest tree, but the oldest, positioned in the back. His grandson was content with the answer because John also told him the two most important trees in a forest are the smallest and the largest.

Goshin was first exhibited at the Descanso Gardens during the dedication of the Van de Kamp Hall. A few years later John was blessed with four additional grandchildren so he added more specimens to complete Goshin with a total of eleven trees representing his eleven grandchildren in 1973.

Above: Goshin in 1984

In 1984 John Naka generously donated Goshin to the National Bonsai Foundation, Inc. to be the first specimen in the North American Bonsai Collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

Above: John in 1986

Above: From the early 1990's

The donation of such a famous and distinguished masterpiece bonsai began serious contributions and gave momentum to establish the museum. Goshin is now proudly displayed in the entrance display area of the John Y. Naka Pavilion of North American Bonsai at the museum. John continues to advise the curatorial staff of the museum on the care and training of Goshin and makes a yearly trip from California to Washington, D.C. to assist on the care.

Above: Goshin in 2002

Goshin continues to display the distinctive and outstanding beauty of John Naka’s design while clearly exhibiting his love for the art of bonsai. John’s donation of his masterpiece forest “Goshin” is available for inspiration and appreciation to the thousands of visitors to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.