Monterey Bonsai Club
ABOUT US
The Monterey Bonsai Club
Although the study of Bonsai Culture in California dates before 1950, the earliest known club in the state wasn't established until the early 1950's in the San Francisco Bay area. There was no organized Bonsai activity in Monterey until 1960 when George Kadani called together a group with five additional friends: T. Takigawa, Tajuro Watanabe, Frank Kadani, Shigeru (Tom) Oba and Ray Murakoshi to form the Monterey Bonsai Study Group.
During the early years, the six Bonsai enthusiasts met in each other's homes where the main topics on the agenda were studying each other's trees and socializing. No doubt there was a free flow of "Bonsai Stories". Later, as the group expanded, Tuesday meetings were moved to the Japanese American Citizen's League Hall or the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple. Cooperation and support have existed between the MBC and both the JACL and the Temple ever since.
Mr. Kadani and Mr. Obi were the original instructors. Under their guidance, the founders developed their skills. Gradually others joined. In 1965 membership rules were relaxed to admit Japanese speaking Colonel Kenneth Burns, an Army office who had spent time in both Japan and Korea. Eventually, women were admitted. In the mid-1970's, participation was extended to interested Bonsai students of caucasian descent of both sexes. Current membership runs to approximately 60 persons.
Monthly meetings always include an informal workshop and equally informal business meeting. This is a true hobby club, where the love of the art of Bonsai is predominant. There are few rules and regulations.
In 1982, under Mr. Kinoshita's presidency, the club joined the Golden State Bonsai Federation, which was established in 1978. This non-profit educational organization is dedicated to historical features and appreciation of the Art of Bonsai. Membership is drawn from clubs throughout the state of California. Its library has supplied us with Bonsai tapes and slides. One of its commendable activities is promotion of Bonsai interest among California youth through education and workshops.
1986 was a big year, as the Monterey club joined the Watsonville and Salinas clubs to bring Bonsai to the Monterey Hyatt Convention Center in the form of the Ninth Annual Convention of the GSBF. This convention was a smashing success both program-wise and financially. It was a rare opportunity for fortunate participants and observers. The hall was packed.
June is the traditional month for the Annual Bonsai Show. Everyone joins in preparations for the display. During previous months each person works on trees for display and cultivates door prizes for our guests. On pre-show Saturday, everyone is busy. Tables are set-up and draped, trees are carried in and identification tags and accent plants are placed - all work to create a beautiful Tenjikai. The demonstrator each year brings a tree that they sought out long ago, studied over time and chose a suitable container. The demonstration is the apex of the exhibition. When the day arrives, members put on their brown hapi coats or blue aprons decorated with the MBC logo and step forward to greet old Bonsai friends as well as newcomers. For many visitors this is their first introduction to the world of Bonsai. This may be for them the beginning of a long affair with the "Little Trees in a Tray".
The objective of Bonsai is to capture the grandeur and beauty of nature on a small scale. The result may be a single tree, sometimes less than six inches high; other times much taller, planted in an artistic tray. One may envision one of the many different styles - a rock planting, rocks and trees forming a scene or a number of small trees giving the impression of a forest. Deciduous or evergreen trees, fruit trees, flowering trees or whatever is your fancy may be used to produce a beautiful work of art. The artist's imagination is the only limitation.
A look into history takes us to Japan about 800 years ago, noblemen and aristocrats practiced the artistry of dwarfing trees. Until today, the creation has changed very little, but the knowledge has spread out geographically as people have moved about the world.
In addition to an awareness of innovative ideas, the Monterey Bonsai Club is striving to keep up the traditional philosophies upon which the six founders established in 1960. We hope that they would appove.
Adapted from Dorothy Land