Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry

Spring Garden Updates

Ryan and Ira recount the most recent bonsai shuffle caused by an unexpected (and unprecedented) April snowstorm, and take a trip down memory lane in honor of Mirai's 12th anniversary.

Eli Akins: Waldo Street Pottery

In this episode of Asymmetry, we sit down with Eli Akins—the proprietor of Waldo Street Pottery. Eli has a growing ceramic presence in the North American community. His work has taken on significant levels of evolution, which highlight his dedication to mastering the craft. Join us for a tremendous discussion of ceramics, the interaction and overlapping of music as a medium, and practicing bonsai. 

 

To see more of Eli's work, check out his website www.waldostreetpottery.com/

Jan Culek: The Quiet Rockstar

Jan Culek's lightweight stone slabs have unleashed the imagination at Mirai, bringing compositions to life that would otherwise not be possible. In a recent, long-anticipated visit to Mirai from his native Czech Republic, Jan takes a break from styling in the workshop to have a conversation with Ryan and Ira about his journey into stone, why he doesn't like pots, and what's next in the journey of one of the most innovative bonsai professionals working in Europe today.

 

For more of Jan Culeks's work, see www.bonsaimirai.com.

Kate Brelje

In this episode of Asymmetry, we deviate away from our standard bonsai geekery to share in an engaging conversation with Kate Brelje, a doctoral candidate at Temple University. Tune in this week as Kate walks us through her thesis study on plant care and the ethics that surround our relationships with plants.

Jonathan Cross - Return of the Soda Fire

In this episode of Asymmetry, we celebrate the release of a new soda fired ceramics collection from Jonathan Cross. Travel back in time, and into the future of his soda firing journey, and see these incredible geometric vessels, now available only on Mirai Goods.

Adam Jones - Tree House Bonsai

In this episode we get to sit down with Adam Jones of Tree House Bonsai. Adam not only broke the mold by apprenticing at the highly coveted Mansei-en bonsai gardens, but also has established himself as a functioning professional in the Japanese bonsai community.    A deep thinker, talented artist and a person in the sphere of bonsai who is sure to  leave a significant and positive imprint on the relationship between east and west. 

Looking forward to 2022

In this episode Ryan sits down with long-time resident bonsai practitioner and newly minted Project Manager for Mirai, Ira Sisson, to talk through what is to come in 2022.  

Kathy Shaner

Kathy Shaner was the first non-Japanese citizen to have completed a full bonsai apprenticeship under a master in Japan. As a woman, she defied the conventional structure of society in completing a rigorous apprenticeship under a bonsai master. 

Her good reputation paved the way for all modern, Japanese educated bonsai practitioners from around the world. She has educated successive generations of people, created spirited collections, and instills a higher level of knowledge everywhere she goes.

This week, hear our conversation with Kathy at the 2021 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, where she shares her bonsai story, and generously enlightens us in the way that only Kathy can.

Ted Matson

Ted Matson is curator of bonsai collections at The Huntington in Los Angeles, CA, and one of the most influential bonsai teachers and demonstrators in North America.

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ted walks us through his own bonsai journey and role in the evolution of the southern California bonsai scene that modernized bonsai in North America in the 80s and 90s. 

Learn more about The Huntington at huntington.org/bonsai-collection

David Knittle

In this episode of Asymmetry we talk with David Knittle about his profound and iconic bonsai stands.  Follow along and listen to his journey in woodworking and learn about his beautiful mastery of his craft.