Who is you Bonsai Mentor, Master, Teacher?
Bonsai master or Bonsai sensei
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| image source: bonsai empire |
A bonsai master is simply a teacher who spent most of his life training and mastering the craft of bonsai and sharing it with the next generation. You can find a number of bonsai masters in Japan. Together with their magnificent works being displayed in their respective gardens.
The popularity of their masterpieces and the masters themselves have been consistently featured in many books. Many if not most of them have given talks, and lectures and have been invited to judge in the biggest bonsai events in the world.
Philippines bonsai master/teacher
In the Philippines, many bonsai artists would say that they did not have a formal master-apprentice relationship as most of us here learn by self-educating. And that is not a surprise because learning resources are available all around.
In fact, this is normally how many of us develop an interest and start putting more attention to the hobby. YouTube for example, just type “bonsai training” or any related keyword, and you will find hundreds of videos published by many different bonsai hobbyists across the world.
In my case, I am privileged to have met the people that I look up to as my mentor. They have proven a lot to hold that title. They have successfully trained near-perfect bonsai trees but also in the way they build relationships in the bonsai community.
My Bonsai mentors
I have a dozen who I recognize as my mentor, directly or indirectly. Some of them I haven’t even met personally yet. But there are those who I keep on the top of my list simply because I have personally connected with them. I am proud to mention:
1. Ronald Lipata – https://www.facebook.com/ronald.lipata.5
2. Ogi Uyehara – https://www.facebook.com/ogi.uyehara
3. Elvis Magadia – https://www.facebook.com/elvis.magadia
4. Robert Abraham – He passed away last 2018
5. Edwin Gonio – https://www.facebook.com/shirley.gonio
When you are into bonsai, you are in a continuous learning process.
In every new tree you acquire, or even those that you already possess, there is always something new to learn. These bits of knowledge, idea, and wisdom – whatever you call it are only visible to those who put this hobby into their heart.
But even more important than this is the connection we make with people. The friendship we build as we go along with this hobby makes the whole bonsai experience extra special.
How about you? Who is your bonsai mentor?
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