Trash to Treasure:John Naka's Ume

摘要

My apprenticeship with Yasuo Mitsuya in Japan was a series of very fortunate events, but one stood out. Years before I studied in Japan, I marveled at the beautiful photographs of bonsai in the Kokufu books. My chance to see the Kokufu exhibition cameduring my ninth month of apprenticeship. The exhibition was spectacular, but the six days I spent in Tokyo for the show were even more special: John Naka brought a tour group to Japan and I spent a day with him and my American bonsai buddies. The record snowstorm that had blanketed the city with a foot of the white stuff added a magical look to an extraordinary experience. The view outside the exhibition was as gorgeous as the bonsai on display. (Figure l)