NABF Newsletter #8
Feature #7
Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection at the Huntington
By Marilyn Imura Tyler
La Crescenta, California
Rotating display of three bonsai in front of spirit screen at the Bonsai Court entrance: Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis var sargentii) donated by Howard Waldman; Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis cv. torulosa) forest designed by Umenori Hatanaka and donated by Howard Waldman; California juniper (Juniperus californica) donated by Bob Kinoshita.
In 1968, the Huntington Botanical Gardens located in Los Angeles area developed a Bonsai Court as an expansion of the Japanese Garden, which had been built in 1912. By 1990, The Huntington combined forces with the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) to expand and improve the display through development of a Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection.
Through the work and contributions of GSBF members, many of whom are renowned artists and teachers with their own bonsai collections, the Collection has become recognized as one of the premier public bonsai assemblages in the world.
Today, the growing Collection features bonsai and viewing stones from noted artists throughout the region, and is curated by the internationally known bonsai master, Ben Oki.
THE CURATOR
Ben Oki, Curator of the Bonsai Court, is one of the most respected Japanese-American bonsai masters in the world. Beginning his career in 1958 as one of John Naka's first students, Mr. Oki travels widely, teaching bonsai through demonstrations, workshops, and lectures.
Mr. Oki is recipient of many national and international awards. Among his honors is annual recognition by The American Bonsai Society of an outstanding student of the art through presentation of The Ben Oki Award, and the Ben Oki International Design Award competition coordinated by Bonsai Clubs International.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Bonsai Court at The Huntington, and the associated gardens and educational spaces, have become a regional center for bonsai: hosting shows, educational events, and workshops. For information on upcoming events, and to view photos of the Collection, please visit the website at
www.gsbf-bonsai.org/huntington/.
California juniper (Juniperus californica)
Designed by Mas Moriguchi (donated by Mas Moriguchi)
Olive (Olea, sp.)
Collected from an olive ranch in Fontana, California on July 4, 1958 by John Naka (Donated by John Naka)
Four of seven Eel River stones donated from Harry Hirao's collection.
Location: GSBF Collection at the Huntington
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California 91108
Tel: (626) 405-2100
Website: www.gsbf-bonsai.org/huntington/
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