Page 47 - BSAM 2015 Q3

The Bonsai Beginner’s Course
Teaching a new generation of bonsai enthusiasts
Photos courtesy Bonsai Empire and Bjorvala Bonsai Studio
Do you remember a time when you knew next to nothing about bonsai? You were aware of bonsai because you appreciat- ed Asian art, perhaps the Japanese aes- thetic in particular, and maybe you were
exposed to bonsai on a trip to Japan or on a visit to one of the first bonsai museums and arboreta around the world. Maybe it was the subplot in the movie, The Karate Kid, the part where Mr. Miyagi performs an emergency repotting on a pine bonsai damaged by the bad guys. Whatever it was, you became extremely cu- rious about bonsai in this chance encounter and with motivation and determination, you resolved to learn all you could about this incomprehensible art form shrouded in tradition and mystery.
Was that twenty years ago or was it just last spring?
Whether you are new to bonsai and wonder what it’s all about, or if your knowledge or grasp of certain techniques still needs work, consider purchasing The Bonsai Beginner’s Course from Bjorvala Bonsai Stu- dio and Bonsai Empire, their first joint effort and their first online bonsai course introduced this past June.
For those new to bonsai, this course provides an un- derstanding of what Bonsai is, and which techniques can be applied to shape and maintain the miniature trees. Although the course is aimed at beginners, it can also reinforce best bonsai practices for those with more experience.
There have been other publications and films that have introduced Westerners to bonsai, such as the fine film, The Growing Art of Bonsai by Arthur Skolnik, first released in VHS and then on DVD. The Introduc- tion to Bonsai Course designed by Thomas L Zane, promoted by The American Bonsai Society (ABS) and BCI was used by many clubs in the US to teach bonsai to newcomers.
The Bonsai Beginner’s Course is a new twist on the Japanese bonsai aesthetic covered by many authors in past decades, as they presented a similar program, mostly in book form, with individual flair and their own distinctive bonsai creations. What makes The Bonsai Beginner’s Course such a compelling offering
is the powerful combination of knowledge and expe- rience provided by two young bonsai professionals, Bjorn Bjorholm and Oscar Jonkers and their ability to relate to their young peers. Bjorn’s access to top quality bonsai specimens adds much credibility and authority to the offering.
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Top; The Bonsai Beginner’s Course if a new offering on the Bonsai Empire website
The course is taught by two professional and highly experi- enced teachers.
Middle; Bjorn Bjorholm is
a bonsai professional who studied this living art for
over six years while living in Japan, apprenticing under the famous Bonsai master Keiichi Fujikawa. Bjorn is well-known for his technical skills in wiring and styling Bonsai. He travels around the world to teach and demonstrate.
Bottom; Oscar Jonkers is author of the best-seller “Bonsai, a beginners guide” and owner of Bonsai Empire. While Bjorn handles the techniques and application part, Oscar discusses the backgrounds of what Bonsai is and means.
Website Review: http://course.bonsaiempire.com