The North Pavillion at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum - US National Arboretum in Washington DC is named after him.∼John Yoshio Naka, the world-renowned bonsai master who was credited with bringing the art to Western culture, died at age 89
Naka, a resident of Whittier, died Wednesday at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced.
Naka was widely regarded as one of the greatest bonsai masters of his time, even in Japan.
The Japanese art that dates back to the 13th century — though it originated in China several centuries before — involves dwarfing and shaping miniature trees and shrubs with wire and careful pruning. Naka's talent was to create landscapes, such as his remarkable Goshin, which means "protector of the spirit." It is a forest of 11 juniper trees, each representing a grandchild. It took 55 years for Naka to grow it.
In 1990, the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., dedicated the John Y. Naka Bonsai Pavilion, a collection of trees from bonsai masters around the world. Naka's Goshin has a place of honor there.
Naka was awarded dozens of honors for his work and for his willingness to teach the art to people of all nations and cultures.
In 1985, Emperor Hirohito of Japan granted Naka the 5th Class Order of the Rising Sun, the nation's highest honor conferred to noncitizens.
Naka and four other bonsai enthusiasts founded the California Bonsai Society; he served as president for 32 years. He taught his final classes in 1992 at the California Bonsai Society convention in Irvine.
Naka, a resident of Whittier, died Wednesday at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced.
Naka was widely regarded as one of the greatest bonsai masters of his time, even in Japan.
The Japanese art that dates back to the 13th century — though it originated in China several centuries before — involves dwarfing and shaping miniature trees and shrubs with wire and careful pruning. Naka's talent was to create landscapes, such as his remarkable Goshin, which means "protector of the spirit." It is a forest of 11 juniper trees, each representing a grandchild. It took 55 years for Naka to grow it.
In 1990, the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., dedicated the John Y. Naka Bonsai Pavilion, a collection of trees from bonsai masters around the world. Naka's Goshin has a place of honor there.
Naka was awarded dozens of honors for his work and for his willingness to teach the art to people of all nations and cultures.
In 1985, Emperor Hirohito of Japan granted Naka the 5th Class Order of the Rising Sun, the nation's highest honor conferred to noncitizens.
Naka and four other bonsai enthusiasts founded the California Bonsai Society; he served as president for 32 years. He taught his final classes in 1992 at the California Bonsai Society convention in Irvine.
The North Pavillion at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum - US National Arboretum in Washington DC is named after him.∼John Yoshio Naka, the world-renowned bonsai master who was credited with bringing the art to Western culture, died at age 89
Naka, a resident of Whittier, died Wednesday at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced.
Naka was widely regarded as one of the greatest bonsai masters of his time, even in Japan.
The Japanese art that dates back to the 13th century — though it originated in China several centuries before — involves dwarfing and shaping miniature trees and shrubs with wire and careful pruning. Naka's talent was to create landscapes, such as his remarkable Goshin, which means "protector of the spirit." It is a forest of 11 juniper trees, each representing a grandchild. It took 55 years for Naka to grow it.
In 1990, the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., dedicated the John Y. Naka Bonsai Pavilion, a collection of trees from bonsai masters around the world. Naka's Goshin has a place of honor there.
Naka was awarded dozens of honors for his work and for his willingness to teach the art to people of all nations and cultures.
In 1985, Emperor Hirohito of Japan granted Naka the 5th Class Order of the Rising Sun, the nation's highest honor conferred to noncitizens.
Naka and four other bonsai enthusiasts founded the California Bonsai Society; he served as president for 32 years. He taught his final classes in 1992 at the California Bonsai Society convention in Irvine.
Naka, a resident of Whittier, died Wednesday at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced.
Naka was widely regarded as one of the greatest bonsai masters of his time, even in Japan.
The Japanese art that dates back to the 13th century — though it originated in China several centuries before — involves dwarfing and shaping miniature trees and shrubs with wire and careful pruning. Naka's talent was to create landscapes, such as his remarkable Goshin, which means "protector of the spirit." It is a forest of 11 juniper trees, each representing a grandchild. It took 55 years for Naka to grow it.
In 1990, the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., dedicated the John Y. Naka Bonsai Pavilion, a collection of trees from bonsai masters around the world. Naka's Goshin has a place of honor there.
Naka was awarded dozens of honors for his work and for his willingness to teach the art to people of all nations and cultures.
In 1985, Emperor Hirohito of Japan granted Naka the 5th Class Order of the Rising Sun, the nation's highest honor conferred to noncitizens.
Naka and four other bonsai enthusiasts founded the California Bonsai Society; he served as president for 32 years. He taught his final classes in 1992 at the California Bonsai Society convention in Irvine.
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
