NABF Newsletter #1

Feature #7

JOHN NAKA SKETCHBOOK

By Jack E. Billet

For quite a while I have been collecting from around the globe John Naka’s sketches in the hope that they could be assembled into a book and published by the National Bonsai Foundation. Happily, my efforts are now coming to fruition, and the John Y. Naka Sketchbook is being readied for publication.

In her biography for the Sketchbook, Cheryl Manning notes:

For more than five decades [John has] dedicated himself to the art of bonsai. But during that time, he managed to practice the fine art of drawing. Thousands of times over the years, John took pen to paper to create an image of an bonsai. The result was a work of art that became a lasting inspiration to the owners as their trees developed. Sometimes the trees went to bonsai heaven, but John’s sketches were everlasting and treasured by those fortunate enough to have them.

Knowing that there's a treasure trove of bonsai design knowledge in all of these drawings, and as a tribute to John for all he has contributed to the bonsai world, the directors of the National Bonsai Foundation decided to collect as many of those drawings as they could and publish the John Naka Sketchbook. Many of the editors of major bonsai magazines were very helpful by giving us free advertising space to solicit copies of drawings.

Soon, drawings began arriving from around the world. More than two hundred people submitted at least one drawing and many sent multiples. It is amazing to see the vast creative talent John displays in this collection. Everyone who submitted a drawing will be represented in the book. All the extra drawings, and there are many, will be housed in the library of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC.

In introducing the Sketchbook, John explains:

Sketching has been a way for me to describe what I see because it’s easier for me explain with a pen than with words. I was able to say what I felt when I saw the bonsai material and my vision for the future of the tree. I was able to show the owner of the tree how I saw the tree in five or ten more years.

John said that he is very pleased to know that people have treasured these sketches and is touched that they will be published.

These are just a few example of John’s sketches, which will be included in the forthcoming NBF publication.

Above: This sketch for John Naka's grandson Mike Naka will be on the cover of the John Naka Sketchbook to go into production soon.

Above: John sketching. Photo by Vaughn Banting.

Photo by Larry Ragle; John and his drawing after a demo on a pomegranate at Nanpu-Kai meeting July 2002