Events, Activities, and Live Instruction
Julian Tsai
Julian is a Southern California resident who discovered a passion for bonsai while in college. After graduation he pursued an apprenticeship at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan. Kouka-en is a second-generation nursery currently operated by Mr. Keiichi Fujikawa located in Osaka Prefecture. The nursery opened in 1950 and has held itself to a high standard of refinement, participating and vending at the Kokufu-ten in Tokyo. His experience there gave him a foundation in both evergreen and deciduous techniques. Although there is a strong impression of expedited refinement in Japanese bonsai, trees there have been properly developed over many years. Julian puts an emphasis on horticulture and development that enables sustainable design.
Featured Instructors
David Nguy
David was born in Vietnam and currently resides in California. He has been referred to by the Golden State Bonsai Federation as “Mr. California Juniper II.” He is highly recognized for his signature California Juniper trees, Black Pine, and other species.
Jonas Dupuich
Jonas got his start in bonsai over twenty years ago when he met Boon Manakitivipart while working at his family’s nursery. After seeing a tree Boon had styled – a neglected black pine – he was hooked.
That experience kicked off more than two decades of study with Boon. During that time, he became a founding member of Bay Island Bonsai, and started Bonsai Tonight.
Steve Iwaki
Growing up in Los Angeles, Steve is the second-generation of his family to practice bonsai. Having inherited many of his prized trees from his father, he hopes to someday share this passion with his kids, passing these same trees forward to the next generation. While that might be a long-term dream, his current goal is to pass down what he’s learned from others and share his experiences and appreciation of this traditional art form. He enjoys teaching all the facets of bonsai, from the structural and technical side to the more esoteric aspects. He strongly believes that bonsai instills the attributes of commitment, patience, and a sense of accomplishment, and above all creates balance in your life.