News for contributors and NBF friends of The National BULLETIN Foundation Winter 2000 Volume XI, Number 2 Our Treasures Have Been 25th Anniversary Asian Arts Festival Published! by Dr. Thomas S. Elias by Jim Hayes It’s hard to believe that the National In February of 1999, I was given the charge of bringing to fruition NBF’s vision Bonsai and Museum will be 25 of sharing with the world the depth and scope of the National Bonsai and Penjing years old next year. But, it will be, and a Museum’s prized viewing stone collection. This collection is one of our national series of events are planned to cele- treasures, presenting some of the best viewing stones from around the world do- brate this great occasion. The first of nated by avid collectors and world leaders. Rolling off the press this December these will be held at the Museum on 2000, Awakening the Soul makes that vision a reality. the weekend of April 27–29, 2001, when the National Bonsai Foundation, the Potomac Bonsai Association, the Satsuki Association, International, and the U. S. National Arboretum join together to bring you an Asian Arts Festival. (See the en- closed Calendar of Events.) We extend a very warm and cordial invitation to members and supporters of the National Bonsai Foundation to be with us for this notable time in the history of the Museum. A formal ceremony to open the bon- sai, ikebana, viewing stone, and bonsai pot exhibits will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27. Japanese Ambassador Yanni has been invited to attend and assist in honoring seven members of the board of the Japan Satsuki Associ- Soft-Bound Cover ation who will be recognized for their generous donation of a collection of Published in memory of Yuji Yoshimura, Awakening the Soul orchestrates 100 mature satsuki azaleas to the Museum. pages of expressive photography, classic design, passionate writing, comprehen- Japanese bonsai master Susumu Naka- sive reference, and renaissance craftsmanship. With a special letter from Dr. Tom mura, who donated three bonsai to the Elias, foreword by Felix Laughlin and an insightful introduction by noted viewing Museum, will also be recognized. Visi- stone expert, Larry Ragle, this book is more than a pictorial catalogue. It captures tors will be able to see a special view- the timeless expressions of Nature, stimulates the imagination and (living up to ing stone exhibit as well as the six win- its title) awakens the soul. ning bonsai pots from the first-ever This work has been produced in limited quantities in both hard-bound and soft- NBF national pot competition. bound versions. Only 100 hand-numbered, hard-bound, slip-cased books will be On Saturday afternoon, April 28, the made available. Each version is equally inspiring. Japan Satsuki Association will present a Hard-bound, slip-cased edition–$125. Soft-bound edition–$39.95. Please add lecture on satsuki azaleas followed im- $3.95 for shipping and handling. To obtain your copy, please complete the enclosed order form. (Continued on page 2) 2

President’s Letter We are pleased niversary Asian Arts Festival (April to announce in 27–29, 2001); the Bonsai Pot Com- this issue the re- petition (winners to be announced BOARD OF DIRECTORS lease of Awak- on April 27, 2001); an Invitational HONORARY MEMBERS ening the Soul Viewing Stone Exhibition (dates to John Y. Naka Hon. Orville G. Bentley —a new book be determined); and the Scholarly H. Marc Cathey highlighting the Perspectives on Bonsai and Viewing John L. Creech Saburo Kato (Japan) Museum’s Na- Stones Symposium (October 26–28, Barbara Hall Marshall tional Viewing Stone Collection. 2001). Mary E. Mrose Dr.Yee-sun Wu (Hong Kong) With an illuminating text by Larry We thank Dr. Tom Elias for his George Y.Yamaguchi Ragle, exquisite photography by Joe leadership and for making the pub- PRESIDENT EMERITUS Mullan, and elegant design by Jim lic/private partnership between the Frederic L. Ballard, PA Hayes and Lia Marta, this work will U.S. National Arboretum and the OFFICERS Marion Gyllenswan, NY set a new standard for books on this National Bonsai Foundation such a Chair art form. The Foundation is indebt- success. We also thank all of you— Felix B. Laughlin, DC President ed to Jim Hayes for his uncompro- NBF’s supporters—who can be Marybel Balendonck, CA mising determination in moving proud of your Museum’s accom- Vice President Chris C. Cochrane, VA this arduous project from start to plishments over the last quarter Secretary Chris J.Yeapanis, VA finish. century. It has truly become a Treasurer As 2001 approaches, we are world-class center, fostering a better MEMBERS preparing a number of exciting understanding of bonsai, penjing Vaughn L. Banting, LA events to celebrate the 25th Anniver- and viewing stones. Jack E. Billet, DE Roger S. Case, Jr., NM sary of the Museum. The main ac- Best wishes for a peaceful and re- Gregory M. Cloyd, OH Doris W. Froning, PA tivities will include the 25th An- warding 2001! David Garvin, MD James J. Hayes, PA F. Allan Hills, CO Roland Hofmeister, MN C. F. Kwok, VA Janet E. Lanman, MD 25th ANNIVERSARY ASIAN Senior Teachers of Ikebana Interna- Cheryl Manning, CA tional will have a series of strikingly Robert Moak, AL ARTS FESTIVAL Mary Ann E. Orlando, DC (Continued from page 1) beautiful flower arrangements on dis- Larry Ragle, CA F. Chase Rosade, PA play in the Mary E. Mrose Internation- Thomas Scott, TN mediately by a demonstration on how al Pavilion. These master teachers will Helen C. Souder, FL Jerald P. Stowell, NJ to style a satsuki bonsai. Here’s your also hold concurrent sessions on Satur- Edward Trout, FL opportunity to see how the world’s day and Sunday on how to make flower Ted T.Tsukiyama, HI William N. Valavanis, NY leading experts create their magnificent arrangements representing the different Jack W. Wells, DC specimens. Solita and Chase Rosade, schools of ikebana. A sales tent with EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS internationally-known bonsai artists, many vendors will be available to vis- President American Bonsai Society will offer special bonsai classes for chil- itors wishing to acquire plants, supplies, President dren on both Saturday and Sunday. and materials. Bonsai Clubs International President Susumu Nakamura will conduct a for- By combining these exhibits with Potomac Bonsai Association est-style bonsai demonstration on Sun- our recognition ceremony, we hope to ADVISORS day afternoon. In addition to these attract a much larger audience than we Thomas S. Elias Director, U.S. National Arboretum demonstrations, the Potomac Bonsai have for previous events and gain Elizabeth L. Ley greater public recognition for the Gardens Unit Leader Association will arrange additional U.S. National Arboretum ones for their members. Museum and the art of bonsai. Warren Hill Curator of Bonsai, U.S. National Arboretum Jack Sustic Assistant Curator of Bonsai, U.S. National Arboretum Bonsai Associations of Michigan Bonsai Societies of Florida Golden State Bonsai Federation Check Out NBF’s Website: Hawaii Bonsai Association Lone Star Bonsai Association Mid-America Bonsai Alliance www.bonsai-nbf.org Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies Puget Sound Bonsai Association 3

or accent plants, suitable for maintain- Arboretum, along with a tag identify- Bonsai Pot ing living plants indefinitely including at ing the potter’s name and applicable Competition least one drainage hole, and made by a pot category, until the final selection potter residing in North America. process is completed. The three win- by Chris Cochrane ners in each pot category will be dis- THE SELECTION PANEL: played with their award and identifying The Selection Panel will be com- nterest is strong and growing as the information in the Mary E. Mrose In- I prised of Kenneth Trapp, Warren Hill National Bonsai and Penjing Museum ternational Pavilion at the Museum for and Janet Lanman. Mr. Trapp is the moves closer to its pot competition not less than three months. Curator-in-Charge of the Renwick deadline of February 1, 2001. This is the Gallery of the Smithsonian American OWNERSHIP OF POTS: first North American bonsai pot com- Art Museum. The Renwick Gallery is The three winners in each pot cate- petition. It is being conducted in associ- the nation’s museum that collects, gory will become the sole property of ation with the Takagi Bonsai Museum studies, interprets, and exhibits the the Museum. Pots not receiving of , Japan. The Takagi Museum finest work in American craft, includ- awards will be returned to their own- has conducted a bonsai competition in ing ceramics. The Renwick Gallery will ers if they have deposited adequate Japan for many years and, as a result, be mounting an exhibit “USA Clay: funds with the National Bonsai Foun- has encouraged Japanese potters to ad- Ceramics from the Collection” from dation to pay for return shipping vance the art of ceramic bonsai con- March 9 through July 15, 2001. costs. Otherwise, they also will be- tainers beyond traditional styles. come the property of the Museum. Requests for information have been ENTRY DEADLINES: received from potters and art pottery By February 1, 2001, contestants DISCLAIMER: studios in more than half the states in must mail one or two color slides of Neither the U.S. National Arboretum, the country and from Canada. Requests each pot to The National Bonsai Foun- the National Bonsai Foundation nor the are arriving from university art depart- dation, 1775 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Takagi Museum is responsible for dam- ments. Journal announcements have Washington, DC 20006-4605, Attn: age to pots during shipping to and from significantly spread the word. The gen- Felix Laughlin. Each contestant may the Museum. Owners should arrange for erosity of American bonsai journals and enter up to six pots. By March 1, 2001, their own insurance coverage. Ceramics Monthly in posting NBF’s an- the Selection Panel will choose the best The National Bonsai Foundation nouncement has contributed to the 25–30 pots in each of the two categories encourages participation. If you know vigor of the competition’s campaign. for the second phase of the judging. By of potters who may be interested in the NBF is very thankful for such assistance. April 1, 2001, contestants whose pots competition, refer them to the NBF For anyone who is not aware of the are selected from slides must deliver website, www.bonsai-nbf.org/nbf/ details, NBF is sponsoring a bonsai pot their pots, at their expense, to the Na- potterycompetition.htm, for the same competition for two categories of pots tional Bonsai and Penjing Museum. details noted here plus color pictures —traditional and modern or new age. From the delivered pots, the Selection of the Takagi Museum’s competition. First, second and third-place winners Panel will determine the winners. Additional information on the com- in each category will receive $1000, petition is available by contacting the $500 & $250, respectively. EXHIBIT: National Bonsai and Penjing Muse- Pots must be: new, high-fired ceramic, All pots selected for competition um’s Assistant Curator, Jack Sustic at appropriate as a complement of bonsai will be displayed at the U.S. National (202) 245-5307.

related art forms. This past summer, New Library the National Bonsai Foundation pur- Additions chased several important publications for the library. by Dr. Thomas S. Elias The oldest of these acquired works is the three-volume Bijutsu Bonsai-zu Each year, copies of newly-published (Catalog of Bonsai Art) published in books and journals are added to the Japan in 1881. Each of the volumes is Museum’s library. Periodically, howev- richly illustrated with full-page detailed er, we have an opportunity to acquire line drawings of the different styles and rare, out-of-print volumes that are crit- types of plants used in bonsai in the ically important in understanding the Illustration from Bijutsu Bonsai-zu 1800s in Japan. A few suiseki are in- history and development of bonsai and published in Japan in 1881. (Continued on page 4) 4

NEW LIBRARY ADDITIONS scrolls, companion plants, suiseki and Japanese edition of Design of Trees and (Continued from page 3) ikebana arrangements. Stones by Toshio Kawamoto. Others additions include Contempo- The National Bonsai and Penjing cluded in some of the plates. This book rary Bonsai and their Care by Norio Museum is becoming a national and will serve as a valuable reference for Kobayashi (1928) and the two-volume international center for all aspects of bonsai styles of this period. Taiten Kinen, Bonsai Meihin Shu bonsai, from the cultural aspects of the As far as we know, displays of bonsai (Anniversary of Taiten, Collection of Ex- trees to providing the necessary tools in Japan were restricted to private cellent Bonsai) published in 1929. This for scholarly studies of bonsai and re- showings, often in a restaurant or simi- latter work contains numerous pho- lated art forms. Our success depends lar setting, prior to the first public ex- tographs of the outstanding bonsai in large part on the willingness and hibition held in 1927. The Museum is specimens in Japan for this year. NBF generosity of the Museum’s supporters fortunate to have obtained a copy of Ju- also purchased an additional ten vol- to help us to identify and acquire future raku-kai Zuroku (Catalog of Juraku-kai) umes of the Kokufu-ten Bonsai Exhibi- works for the library. published by Shoichi Kiso in 1903. This tion photo books. These represent We are faced with the need to physi- two-volume work is a catalog and de- some of the earlier published volumes cally expand the library to accommodate scription of a major private display of that had been missing from the Muse- the growing number of works we have, bonsai. It, too, is generously illustrated um’s library collection. More recent, along with all of the valuable artifacts, with full-page, detailed line drawings but still out-of-print, works added in- original drawings, and related materials of the exhibit, showing the tokonome clude a copy of Shohin Bonsai Photo given to the Museum. A conceptual plan settings where the various bonsai were Book edited by Bonsai Sekai and pub- has been developed, and I hope that one exhibited along with the accompanying lished by Keiji Murata in 1972 and a day we will see it become a reality.

Reflections On Japan By Warren Hill, Curator of Bonsai

This past October 2000, I had the pleasure of traveling to Japan, accompanied by Frank Goya from Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, who graciously and skillfully acted as my guide and translator. The purpose of my trip was to meet with a num- ber of the Japanese bonsai masters, tour their nurseries and learn about current bonsai practices in Japan. My Japanese hosts welcomed me with sincere warmth and shared many important insights with me. Tuesday, Oct. 10 My first stop was Saburo Kato’s bonsai nursery, Mansei-En, located in Omiya City outside of Tokyo. Mr. Kato, the third- Saburo Kato’s 1000-year-old Juniper generation owner of Mansei-En, also is the Chairman of the Board of the Nippon Bonsai Association and President of the Spruce Bonsai (probably the best “how-to” book ever written World Bonsai Friendship Federation. Mr. Kato at age 85 is about assembling forest plantings), and The Beauty of Bonsai the most respected bonsai master in the world today. Having (a coffee-table presentation of his personal bonsai been trained in bonsai by his father, Tomekichi Kato, begin- collection).1 So, it was quite an honor to finally visit Mr. Kato ning in 1928, he is best known for his expertise in Ezo spruce, at his nursery. Japanese maples and forest plantings. He has created over 500 As Mr. Kato led me through Mansei-En, much was forest compositions of all sizes and types in this lifetime. discussed about the trees in the collection, such as their Mr. Kato’s nursery, of course, has all types and sizes of health, design and history. We were able to share a good deal bonsai, some of which are for sale and others are in his pri- of information concerning common problems, such as grow- vate collection. Many of his oldest bonsai were owned by ei- ing stewartia monadelpha and dealing with pest and disease ther his father or his grandfather. prevention. I had most recently seen Mr. Kato in Hawaii at the BCI (Continued on page 5) Convention, where he attended my demonstration of a forest planting. At the time, I had been well aware that I was under 1The Museum’s library has copies of both books (which are out of print), and the the kindly but watchful eye of the “father” of forest plantings. Foundation is currently in the process of republishing, with Mr. Kato’s permission, Mr. Kato’s publications include Forest, Rock-Planting and Ezo his forest-planting classic in English. 5

REFLECTIONS ON JAPAN Only about half of (Continued from page 4) the bonsai in the Im- perial Collection — Because Mr. Kato has been so instrumental in the devel- about 300 — are opment of the Museum, I was gratified to hear that he is very regularly displayed happy about the care being given to, and the excellent con- today. In the royal dition of, the Museum’s Japanese Bonsai Collection. He ex- family’s residence, pressed his appreciation to me and the staff of the Museum the bonsai are rotated for taking such good care of all of the collections. once a week. There are five bonsai in the Wednesday, Oct. 11 living quarters, and Today, we took a train to the area of Tokyo to about seven in the “Giant” White Pine in Imperial Bonsai watch the Greater Tokyo Bonsai Society set up their annual halls and on the stair- Collection bonsai exhibition (Issui Ten). The exhibit space took up the cases; their rotation is first, second and third floors of the club’s building. The nor- planned so that there will always be seasonal bonsai to enjoy. mal set-up time required is three days. As I was there, bonsai The life of a bonsai may seem almost permanent, and we were being delivered, photos were being taken and tables po- can marvel at those aged 500 or 1,000 years. Seeing the Im- sitioned. Everything was very organized. The masters in- perial Bonsai Collection, I thought about how many people volved in the set-up included Saburo Kato, Kiyoshi Yamaga- have for so long tended them daily with such loving care as mi, Susumo Nakamura, Masahiko Kimura, Jiro Fukuda, they attained such an age. Anyone who has ever given himself Kunio Kobayashi, Shinji Ogasawara, and many others. Also wholeheartedly to cultivating bonsai knows what a sensitive involved in the staging of the show was a bonsai bazaar in response a bonsai can make to a person’s sincere efforts. the parking lot. Perhaps the Imperial Bonsai have continued to live be- cause they responded to the kindness of those gardeners who, Thursday, Oct. 12 for example, protected them from fire during the Second On this day, Kazuya Morita, a good friend of the Museum World War by pouring water over them after the Palace had and a representative of the Nippon Bonsai Association, escort- been bombed. The appearance of the Imperial Bonsai today ed us to the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo for a prearranged could be considered a frozen page in the history of the Japan- tour of the Imperial ese people. I know of no other examples of living organisms Bonsai Collection and in such numbers that have survived the conditions of nature Palace Gardens. The along with all possible physical damage, and still continue to private tour was given live so vigorously. It was a great honor and privilege for me to by Hitoshi Shimo, be in the same company with these magnificent specimens. Director of the Garden Division, Imperial Friday, Oct. 13 Household Agency. Today, we returned to the Issui Ten Exhibition to observe The history of the the judging of the exhibit entries. After the judging ceremony, Imperial Bonsai Col- awards were given, with the top award being the Prime Minis- lection really begins ter’s Award. The judging, of course, was very private and for- with the Meiji Era in mal. There were 12 or 13 judges, all highly respected members With Mr. Kato at Issui-Ten Exhibition 1868. At that time, of the bonsai and arts community. The bonsai were on dis- bonsai were used for play tables around the edge of the room, just temporarily for display both inside and outside the Meiji Palace, and ever since the judging process. Voting was by secret ballot. I suspect that they have played an important role in the affairs of the Palace. the ballots had different criteria on which to vote. After the vot- It was on October 13, 1868, that the Meiji Emperor moved to ing was computed, each ballot’s votes were tallied on a black- his new capital in Tokyo, building the Imperial Palace where board for totals relating to each bonsai. The top vote was for a his bonsai are maintained today. black pine (kuro-matsu) owned by Kunio Kobayashi. A necessary requirement for bonsai placed in such large The top professionals in the club—such as Saburo Kato, surroundings as the Imperial Palace was that they be “Giant Hiroshi Takeyama, Shinji Ogasawara and Masahiko Kimura Bonsai” — large enough to fill the grand space. It was not (and two others)—were not judged, but were part of the until the 1890s when bonsai had become fashionable all over judging staff. These men had a separate exhibit (non-judged) Japan that smaller-sized bonsai became prevalent and that located on the third floor of the building. mere size was not an indication of talent or quality. The trees Tuesday Oct. 17 in the Imperial Bonsai Collection, however, were unaffected In the morning, we visited Takamatsu City on Shikoku by this transition; without sacrificing their true character and Island. First, we saw the famous Ritsurin Park—a former purpose, their caretakers down through the years to today have preserved the natural style of the Giant Bonsai. (Continued on page 6) 6

REFLECTIONS ON JAPAN Later in the day, we departed for (Continued from page 5) Niihama City, approximately 60 miles south of Takamatsu. Niihama City is the home of Daiso Iwasaki, owner of Takasa- go-An Bonsai Garden. Mr. Iwasaki’s Japanese garden and bonsai collection are both renowned in Japan. In addition to his refined masterpiece bonsai collec- tion, which number in the hundreds, he has a large growing area for developing bonsai with thousands of specimens in many different phases of training. Mr. Iwasaki has a foreman with a staff of four who do most of the work within the gar- Prime Minister’s Award Winner Kunio den and developmental areas. Kabayashi quality of its bonsai pottery made in or Daimyo’s Garden which is the largest around this city. I was particularly representative landscape stroll garden looking forward to meeting with one of in all of Japan. Much of the Garden’s the more famous artists, Masami fame comes from the hundreds of Shouzan Watanabe, a skilled ceramic pines in the landscape that have been craftsman. Mr. Watanabe is the owner styled and maintained for hundreds of of Kanesho Pottery, which creates years. Pines include black pine (kuro- many different types of ceramics. How- matsu), red pine (aka-matsu) and ever, he is best known for his one-of-a- Japanese five-needle white pine (goyo- kind, handmade bonsai pots. His stu- matsu). The kuro-matsu are famous dio is fairly small with two floors; for their deeply furrowed bark—a very downstairs are the two large kilns he special quality. I was privileged to ob- Daiso Iwasaki’s Black Pine uses for firing. Depending on the type serve and take note of Japanese garden- of clay and effect he wants, he will se- ers grooming the black pines. Ritsurin Mr. Iwaski, who is a very young 84 lect either gas-fired or electric. He Park has been designated as the Eighth years old, is an advisor to the Nippon works alone, except for his wife and Special Beauty Spot in Japan. Bonsai Association and the World Bon- son. Since most of his pots are custom- sai Friendship Federation. His passion made, he doesn’t use a catalog for sales for bonsai has taken him to many other and usually only deals with walk-in parts of the world. Mr. Iwasaki’s customers. Mr. Watanabe creates most Takasago-An Bonsai Garden and home of his glazes from scratch and will not are not open to tour groups. Viewing disclose his secret family recipes. These is by private invitation only. glazes are world renowned, and his pots were quite beautiful. Wednesday, Oct. 18 On this day, I continued to enjoy Takasago-An. I was able to take pho- Having returned to my duties at the tographs of the collections, and inter- Museum, I am more than ever inspired view Mr. Iwasaki concerning methods by the wonderful bonsai and penjing in Fujiyoshi Kandaka and techniques. It was interesting that, the Museum’s collections. My trip to to combat borers, he sprays all of his Japan gave me a new perspective on the We also visited Fujiyoshi Kandaka’s pines with a lime-sulpher solution, history of bonsai and a renewed sense bonsai nursery, Kandaka Shoju-En. Lo- which turns their bark a ghostly white; of gratitude for what we have learned cated in the suburbs of Takamatsu City, this he prefers to having borer prob- from the Japanese masters. I am grate- this nursery specializes in growing and lems! Our visit to his nursery was most ful to the Foundation for providing fi- developing black pine. Mr. Kandaka is a rewarding and educational. nancial support for my trip; to Dr. Tom third-generation owner; many of his Elias, Liz Ley, John Naka and Marybel private masterpiece black pines were Thursday, Oct. 19 Balendock for making the arrange- collected by his grandfather on islands We took a train to Nagoya City, and ments; and to Frank Goya for accom- in Japan’s inland sea. His nursery is the from there a taxi to Tokoname City. panying me and helping me get the premier black pine nursery in Japan. Tokoname is an old city famous for the most from the experience. 7 John Naka Drawing Project Update Courtyard by Jack Billet Construction to Start August 1, As of December 1, 60 people had re- sponded to our request for copies of 2001 workshop drawings by John Naka. The total number of John’s drawings we he final construction plans are near- have received thus far is 207. T ing completion for the first two phases It’s a good start, but we still need of the renovation of the Museum’s more drawings. For those of you who Courtyard. The review of the detailed haven’t yet sent copies of your Naka plans will be completed by February. drawings to us, please don’t delay any Once completed, the Agricultural longer. Research Service (ARS) will begin to We also wish to thank the editors of prepare the necessary documents to the bonsai magazines for their help in obtain bids from contractors to carry spreading our request. We deeply ap- out the work. The ARS will award a preciate their support. contract (assuming that the bids are And, thanks to those of you who reasonable and within estimated have already submitted drawings to us. ranges) in May or June. This will give For those of you who want your time for the contractor to order drawings included, please send your supplies and materials and to drawings to: mobilize the necessary equipment to Mr. Jack Billet carry out the work. Plans call for 505 DuPont Road construction to actually begin on Wilmington, Delaware 19807 August 1, 2001—after the flurry of the spring activities in the Museum has passed. This first phase of the construction Year-End Appeal will include major changes to the Cryptomeria Walkway, as well as con- struction of the Upper Courtyard to lease help the National Bonsai endars is rotated to the front of its P be named in memory of the late Foundation support the National translucent display case to show a Maria Vanzant. The Upper Courtyard Bonsai and Penjing Museum. As year bonsai of the season. will include an attractive new wall end approaches, we urge you to use feature identifying the Museum that the enclosed envelope to make a tax- will also provide an excellent site for deductible contribution to NBF. displaying several bonsai. This area If you wish, you may direct your con- will have a hard, level surface that will tribution to any of the following special be fully accessible to all people. Once funds: completed, it will be a suitable site for The Yuji Yoshimura Fund special events. A new drainage system The H. William Merritt Fund and utilities will be installed for the entire courtyard area to address The Melba Tucker Fund serious existing problems. This Further information on these funds portion of the Courtyard renovation can be found on the NBF website at: is estimated to cost approximately www.bonsai-nbf.org/nbf/donations.htm $700,000. The first 100 donors giving $50 or Funds are still needed to complete more will receive an elegant bonsai this work. Contributions to the calendar for 2001 (pictured on the National Bonsai Foundation for this right). Uniquely designed by the Taka- are encouraged. Please use the gi Bonsai Museum in Tokyo, each of enclosed envelope to make your tax- the twelve high-quality monthly cal- deductible contribution. 8 Scholarly Perspectives on Bonsai and Viewing Stones—October 26–28, 2001 NBF Membership To become an NBF member The National Bonsai Foundation suiseki. Workshops will be held in con- or renew your membership, and the U. S. National Arboretum are junction with the lectures. please mail your contribution, pleased to announce the first interna- Among the featured speakers will be along with your name and ad- tional symposium on Scholarly Per- Arishige Matsuura, Chairman of the dress, to Chris Yeapanis, NBF spectives on Bonsai and Viewing Nippon Suiseki Association; well- Treasurer, 4228 Berritt Street, Stones to be held at the National Bon- known bonsai historian and author Fairfax, Virginia 22030. An sai and Penjing Museum on October Hideo Marushima; and Saburo Kato, envelope is enclosed for your 26–28, 2001. This exciting three-day Chairman of the Nippon Bonsai Asso- convenience. event will bring together many of the ciation. leading scholars and experts in the This will be a rare occasion to fields of bonsai, penjing, and suiseki broaden your knowledge about the Categories of Membership to speak about the history, develop- history of bonsai and its spread to ment, and appreciation of bonsai and western countries, and to gain a better Contributor $25 to $100 understanding about suiseki, viewing Sponsor $100 to $250 stones, Chinese scholar stones, and Entry Deadline For other beautiful stones. This will also be Patron $250 to $1,000 a unique opportunity to meet and Bonsai Pot Competition: learn from the world’s leading experts. Benefactor Over $1,000 Save the date and watch for more infor- February 1, 2001 mation. All members receive the NBF See page 3 for details This symposium is part of a series being underwritten by a generous gift Bulletin. from Mary E. Mrose.

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