San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: San Francisco Bonsai Society

Address: 426 33^rd Avenue, San Francisco

Description:

Some of the founding members of the San Francisco Bonsai Society still lead the 50 to 60 current members in the club. Sensei Masu Misuri and President Goro Takahashi pass on their wisdom and mastery to new members. A title such as master or sensei must be earned through respect as well as decades of experience. A minimal annual fee funds the monthly workshops held every third Monday of the month. At these workshops, members bring their bonsai to maintain, educate, share design knowledge and current news within the bonsai community. It is not only a club, but also a social family. Members talk about family, sports and current events. The club is not specific to any age or race; members are multicultural people from young adults to elders. Every year, the S.F. Bonsai Society has an annual event in the Union Bank Building in Japantown where citizens of the community are welcome to bring a tree and bonsai pot and members of the Society will re-pot, trim and maintain the trees free of charge. They also do community outreach at community-based events like the Cherry Blossom Festival and Nihonmachi Street Fair.

History:

Brought together by an interest in bonsai, the club was founded in 1970 by kibei, second generation Japanese Americans who were educated in Japan, many of them gardeners by trade. Originating in China, the art of bonsai was introduced to Japan about 1,000 years ago. When translated bonsai means, “tree in pot.” This is an amazing task in horticulture because the average 50-90 foot Redwood or average 50-100 foot Black Pine is reduced to two-four feet. Those interned in the Japanese relocation camps during WWII had little or no space to cultivate, and used the art to connect with nature. Almost any tree can be used for bonsai, although trees originally from the mountains of Japan like the Shinpaku Black Pine and Japanese Maple are considered traditional. The way one tends to the bonsai gives the style to the tree; whether it be upright, slant, cascade, or informal. The basic design is a triangle with the front bowing as if to say “konnichiwa” to – or greet -- its owner.

Significance:

Cultural, Educational, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Cherry Blossom Festival; Nihonmachi Street Fair; Annual Exhibit. Japantown Union Bank Building; Golden Gate Bonsai Federation – Bonsai Museum

Sources:

Walter Funabiki, S.F. Bonsai Society co-Founder, Goro Takahashi, S.F. Bonsai Society President

Other Comments:

The San Francisco Bonsai Society Club has monthly workshops on the third Monday of every month.

Prepared By: Darryl Abantao Date Prepared: 9/22/04