Featured Instructors
Sam Adina
Sam Adina serves as the sensei (teacher) of the Modesto Bonsai Club and has spent the last two decades growing, designing and instructing bonsai. He is recognized as on the leading professionals in the art and has conducted presentations for the Golden State Bonsai Federation, California Shohin Society, and numerous bonsai venues in the Philippines.
According to Adina, bonsai is his way of relaxing after a strenuous day at work. “I find a challenge with every treet because each is totally different. Bonsai art makes me happy and I love to study how each plant will grow and develop into the future. I never tire of it, whether it’s for my own collection or for a customer.”
Julian Tsai
Julian Tsai is a full-time bonsai professional and artist based out of Southern California. In 2018, Tsai began an apprenticeship in Osaka, Japan under Keiichi Fujikawa of Fujikawa Kouka-en.
After returning to the US, Julian furthered his skillset by learning from professionals Peter Tea and John Wang. In 2022, he launched his career as a full-time bonsai professional, launching his business "Just Bonsai."
Today, he collaborates with customers, works on collections, and provides educational services.
"Bonsai, in its origin, is a multi-generational practiced art. That is to say in both respects, the medium (the tree) and practice exceeds the human lifespan. Trees, like us, are living and thus constantly changing and growing. Just as we strive to continuously learn and improve our own lives, we can adopt similar principles which bring the best out of our trees.
- Philosophy of Julian Tsai