Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry

Lineage of Passion with Harold Sasaki

Kindness. Humility. Generosity. These are words anyone discussing Harold Sasaki would use to describe this gentle giant of a man. But those of us who have been personally impacted by Harold know there is a tenacity to our teacher, a hunger for knowledge, a curiosity for what’s possible, and a glean of motivation in his eye that propelled him to be one of the greatest trailblazers and pioneers of bonsai culture in North American bonsai over the past fifty years. 

Through his facility, Colorado Bonsai Limited, Harold Sasaki, or Hal as friends call him, has been teaching bonsai to curious and passionate practitioners and inspiring the next generation of bonsai artists and professionals for over four decades. Harold was one of a handful of instructors in the Rocky Mountain region who introduced yamadori into American bonsai culture and was the leading authority on ethical yamadori collection. When the rest of our budding bonsai culture was looking for material in nurseries, Harold was embracing the wild forms of rugged trees from the Rockies and taking people on safari to share the passion and technique of sustainable collecting practices. 

Harold’s contributions go beyond pioneering the yamadori movement. He also sparked the flame of bonsai passion in known personalities including Mirai’s own Ryan Neil, Golden Arrow’s Andy Smith, First Branch Bonsai’s Todd Schlafer, Will Kerns, Adam Johnson, Tim Arsenault, and so many others who have gone on to do big things and contribute to the art of bonsai and culture in our country. In fact, when you look at the landscape of bonsai in North America today, it’s impossible to imagine our bonsai culture without appreciating the fingerprint of Harold’s impact, including the heartfelt generosity and spirit of sharing Harold imbued to his students that continues to expand and make our community so rich and robust. 

It was a pleasure and an honor for Ryan to sit down with his mentor and go back to the beginning of where Harold’s journey started, and to walk through the journey of one of American bonsai’s GOATs. Thank you Harold, it was a pleasure my friend. Enjoy!

Stephen Voss

Speaking with creative people about their medium and process is one of the greatest aspects of Asymmetry. To know how other artists view the world and express themselves through their work inspires and informs the tools we all summon to bring beauty through art into the world. Stephen Voss is a D.C. based photographer whose work we have admired at Mirai for over a decade. We initially were exposed to Stephen’s work through his book In Training, an intimate portrayal of the breaths between the words, and the spaces between the trees of the National Bonsai Collection. It was such a thoughtful publication of art and beauty that showed the depth Stephen interpreted the art form of bonsai with and the perspective he felt was valuable to share. Upon deeper dive we realized we were far more aware of Stephen’s photography than we realized. His images have graced the cover of magazines, captured some of the most influential people in the country in their element, and documented some of the most monumental moments in modern history.

 

Ryan and Stephen dive deep into their respective creative processes. From early beginnings and the growth of their creative selves to the actualization of projects based on their compiled experience in their fields, the conversation weaves in and out of personal and professional tidbits and insights. It was truly an honor to get to sit down with such a talented and influential photographer and we are excited to share the conversation. Enjoy!

Joshua Stewart - Educational Psychologist, Evidence in the Wild Podcast

From youth education in bonsai to elite alpine instruction where people’s lives are on the line, Joshua Stewart is an educational psychologist who is applying his expertise to a multitude of projects and disciplines. Even though we’ve been working with Josh for several years now it took sitting down with him on the podcast to fully understand what exactly he does. Ryan and Josh discuss the process of applying psychology, how he processes information, and how Josh takes his knowledge and observations to create strategies that dramatically impact the individuals and organizations he works with. The tangible outcome of Mirai’s collaboration with Josh is undeniable, and has created a template for youth education which continues to guide the way The One Tree Project approaches youth programs and participants. 

Beyond the immediate and obvious, this conversation helped us also recognize the breadth of educational psychology and its limitless application across less considered arenas of thought. Could this field potentially contribute to the “subjective” nature of bonsai appreciation? Could educational psychology assist in improving objective judging? Even without a concrete answer, it’s pretty clear applying educational psychology to the great conundrums of bonsai couldn’t hurt, and might just be able to help explain some of the greater questions we wrestle with. Who knows, maybe we would even gain a better understanding of ourselves in the process.

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to check out Josh’s podcast Evidence in the Wild here to hear from other experts and colleagues in his world of educational psychology.

Andrew Robson

On a recent cold rainy morning prior to the start of the 100th Kokufu exhibition fellow bonsai professional Andrew Robson joined us to discuss the potential for expansion of display opportunities at the next Pacific Bonsai Expo. This show has rapidly risen as the premier exhibition of bonsai in North America, and the efforts of Eric Shrader, Jonas Dupuich, and Andrew Robson to create a destination to display bonsai at the highest level, opening the door to ideas that might allow people to think outside the box and do something special. Without any context for the discussion, Andrew and Ryan sat down to discuss the possibilities of what an artistic display could look like, how spaces could be created for contextual display, and ideas both professionals might have to transform a space into something that could conjure creativity. It was exciting to say the least. 

Beyond bonsai, Andrew and Ryan discovered their shared love of the art of suiseki and discussed Andrew’s stones that were presented in the recent Kokufu exhibition. It was a nice way to celebrate such a milestone of bonsai on a global level and to open the door for future discussions around stones and an art form that is under-appreciated, yet so powerful in its ability to transport practitioners. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy!

You can find Andrew’s work here. 

Explore the Pacific Bonsai Expo for upcoming dates as well!

Cultural Revelations with Aarin Packard

It might be an American thing to try and define how culture impacts bonsai, or it might just be a reality of this very deep artform we all love. Aarin Packard, curator of the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, Washington, joins Ryan to discuss the subject and interviews Ryan about his thoughts for an exhibition the Pacific Bonsai Museum is working on in conjunction with this year’s World Cup. Aarin selected seasoned and respected bonsai personalities from around the globe to see just how present culture is in bonsai. His insights and shared tidbits are a tasty appetizer for what he’s got brewing later this year. We are excited to see what Aarin and his team discover, and honored to be involved. 

Take a look at some of the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s past exhibitions. 

Find out how you can contribute and take part.

Exotic Plants, Art, and the Hustle with The Plant Daddies

From slangin’ exotic plants out of the back of a Lexus to architecting a budding plant-centered design movement taking southern California by storm, the Plant Daddies are a breath of fresh air and inspiration. Leaning on their long-standing friendship and dedication to bringing people happiness through the compositions they create, the trio has rapidly risen in the design world of Southern California and beyond. Dane, Macy, and Kenny bring intense passion for both the plants they cultivate and the projects they serve as they pursue their dreams with impeccable taste and fearless commitment. Their boundary pushing aesthetic and defiance of the dogmatic norm have created a vision and aesthetic in the world of arborescent succulents and interiorscapes garnering the attention of leading designers and architects in the sphere of the modern aesthetic. 

It was a pleasure getting to sit down with the master minds of a growing empire and discuss the nuts and bolts of their endeavor. From getting Plant Daddies off the ground to expanding the walls of what’s possible in their field, we enjoyed the conversation and are excited to see what the future has to offer this trio of creatives. See their work at theplantdaddies.com or follow them on Instagram to be a part of their journey. Enjoy!

Nitrogen and Trees with Meghan Midgley

What happens when trees are confronted with rapidly changing conditions in their environment? Do some trees suffer? Do others thrive? What causes this to occur, and can we use this information to create a more sustainable future for our forests and the trees we love? 

These, and other questions, are at the root of Meghan Midgley’s research her and a select group of colleagues are doing at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. Meghan walks Ryan through her recent research on Nitrogen adaptability and some of the longer standing issues with salinization, and tree tolerances under urban pressures. It’s a fascinating conversation that gave us hope and optimism that solutions do exist, and trees can and will survive. But they made need our help.

If you want to learn more about the Morton Arboretum and the work Meghan is doing, take a look here. 

To make a donation and help be a part of the solution here’s a link to get started. 

Enjoy the listen yall!

A tint of Vermilion with Irene Taylor

Irene Taylor is an award-winning documentary film director known for her intense pursuit of human stories that often push her films and their viewers to the edge of beauty and emotion. Irene’s film Leave No Trace broke open the landmark Oregon court ruling which availed the Boy Scouts’ Perversion Files to victims of abuse creating accountability for decades of misconduct. The film earned the Dupont Award, journalisms’ highest level of achievement. Last year Vermilion Films, Irene’s production company received wide acclaim for I am Celine, which followed global icon Celine Dion’s battle with Stiff Persons Syndrome. I am Celine is the most viewed global documentary in streaming history. Irene’s prolific body of work has garnered Emmy Awards, Academy Nominations, a Peabody Award, and countless others.  

Irene’s artistry and uncompromising commitment to intimacy and authenticity have stunned audiences since her first film Hear and Now, where she follows her deaf parents through their journey without hearing and their desire to understand the world of sound through cochlear implants. This film won the Sundance Audience Award and set the tone for Irene’s prolific body of work that followed. 

Throughout the conversation Irene sheds light on her creative process and the stories that have led to the compelling films she has made. With the hope of gleaning some insight and inspiration from one of the most prolific and powerful film directors in the documentary sphere Ryan was all ears. We are really proud to invite you to sit back and enjoy a journey into the mind of a genius as we present Irene Taylor. Enjoy!

 

Irene Taylor filmography:

2007: Here and Now 

2009: The Final Inch

2011: Saving Pelican 895

2014: One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp

2015: Open Your Eyes

2016: Beware the Slenderman

2017: The Life Story

2018: Between Sound and Silence

2018: The Listening Project

2018: Homeless: The Soundtrack

2019: Moonlight Sonata

2022: Leave no Trace

2023: Trees and Other Entanglements 

2024: I am: Celine Dion

Hornbeam Hysteria with Brandon Roberts and Brock Arvesen

In recent years Hornbeams have grown in appreciation within the bonsai realm. Yet, the more we love them, the fewer we see of them. This, like many topics, has been bouncing around the workshop at Mirai lately. So, on a recent calm afternoon, Brandon, Brock, and Ryan seized the moment to commemorate their thoughts and explore the topic. 

What came from their conversation was a breakdown of Hornbeam evolution and prevalence in the Kokufu. From discussing the merits, the levels, and the aesthetics of the Kokufu’s most interesting Korean Hornbeam through the years to equal parts gossip and bonsai theology, their conversation ranged wide and far. They even squeezed in a fall wrap-up for good measure.  

Follow along in your Kokufu books and take a deep dive into the world of Korean Hornbeams and a summary of the fall happenings at Mirai. Enjoy the listen!

To learn more about growing Hornbeam Mirai Live has you covered. First week is on us.

Bonsai Time with Kevin Faris and Ryan Huston

There’s getting to know someone for the first time and the unveiling of personal stories and background that come with introductions; call it a familiarization of sorts. And then there are discussions with old friends and familiar faces where you pick up where you left off and continue to evolve the conversation. 

We recently had the opportunity to be a guest on one of our favorite bonsai podcasts, Bonsai Time, hosted by Kevin Faris and Ryan Huston. Kevin goes back a long way with Mirai and has dove deep into bonsai in North America through his experience as well as through his podcast. We knew the conversation would go places other podcasts don’t and Kevin and Huston would ask questions of Ryan perhaps other podcasters might not have the familiarity or comfort level to discuss. The boys at Bonsai Time did not disappoint. From family and life outside of bonsai to the depths of Ryan’s experiences as an apprentice, a professional, and the bonsai community at large the podcast winds seamlessly through the many aspects of living bonsai as a lifestyle and all the bumps along the way. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

If you haven’t listened the Bonsai Time be sure to check them out here. Subscribe and support their mission to continue shining light on all the good people and positive stories that exist inside this weird and wacky endeavor of bonsai in North America. We are excited for you all to have a listen and enjoy!