NABF Newsletter #1

Feature #12

BEIJYU NO IWAI (Celebration of 88th Birthday)

By Ann Erb

Two events kept the members of Nanpu-Kai scurrying this August. Not only was it our annual show setup for the evening of August 16th, it was our sensei’s birthday. Not just any birthday either, it was John Naka’s 88th birthday. 88th Birthday is a very auspicious event to the Japanese. “Beijyu” is the name which it is given. In Japanese, kanji for rice [kome, mai, or bei] is written with the stroke consisting of kanji for 88 and with “jyu” or long healthy life. “Beijyu” means celebration of 88th birthday and wish for a happy, long life.

Special Grand Marnier Cake for 88th Birthday (Photograph by Larry Ragle)

The plan was for everyone to slip away after setup and meet down the street at Yatsuhashi Restaurant for a surprise birthday dinner. The problem was getting John down there without spoiling the surprise. Setting up the show is a pretty easy job for most of us, the museum staff do all the work. John keeps an eagle eye on the operation, though, making sure that all the trees are displayed to their best advantage. I’m sure he was wondering why everyone was disappearing before all the work was done.

John Naka receives flowers from Nanpu-Kai members (Left: Mas Moriguchi, Right: John Naka) (Photograph by Ann Erb)

When all the trees were finally in place, John was persuaded to go get something to eat with the last diehards. Upon entering the restaurant, he was confronted with all the delinquents, nearly all the members of Nanpu-Kai and their spouses were waiting to celebrate with him. As always when people are gathered around him, John became the life of the party. Throughout the dinner, John spoke with friend after friend, the long day forgotten. No Nanpu-Kai gathering would be complete without one of Marybel Balendonck’s wonderful grand Marnier cakes. With over 50 people at the dinner, she out did herself with not one cake but four.

John Naka and his wife, Alice, with birthday wishes. (Photograph by Larry Ragle)

After blowing out the candles it was time for the presents and cards. What do you get a man like John for his birthday? We wanted to get something that he could use and continue to enjoy throughout the year, but he has every bonsai item imaginable or even two. In recent years, however, he has returned to his early love of painting, which had been regretfully put aside with all his bonsai commitments. So rather than numerous mementos, it was decided to give John a shopping spree at his favorite art store. Two gifts in one, art supplies and shopping!

Everyone who comes to the Nanpu-Kai show hopes that John Naka is there when they are. This year, few were disappointed because he was there for most of the weekend. When he wasn’t inspecting the trees and other art exhibits, John could be found in the middle of a crowd of well wishers. It was a beautiful show and a treasured gathering of friends. For all of us who had the joy of celebrating with John this year, he had one final word, “Just wait till I'm 99!” We can hardly wait, John, and we'll all be there with you.