My pruning mentor Dennis Makishima gives the camera crew a taste of a real mentor’s talk: one hour talk turned into five hours, hardly a break to sign his books, so typical! For those present, words of wisdom passed on to next generation, great questions asked, friendship shared. Dennis’ book (and future video) about contemporary bonsai (perfectly styled plants created to sell) vs his preferred style (“benign neglect,” filled with character,flaws,patience,love.) which is also I believe how he trains his students, and a point he is trying to make to all of us. Who do we hold dear, and how? Many plants were passed to him by Japanese-American bonsai old timers. Who will care for them next? He donated his whole collection to the
@golden.state.bonsai.federation raising over half a million dollars for a “teacher training” program he’d created. This is why Dennis makes such an incredible mentor and leader. If you are interested in purchasing book of his favorite bonsai you can cleverly hang like Japanese garden calendars look up: “Benign Neglect” by Takeshita Moro -link on
@tmorotm website. #bonsai #bonsaiteacher #bonsaimentor #aestheticprunersassociation #pruner #aestheticpruner #dennismakishima #merrittcollegepruningclub #benignneglect #oldschool #tradition #japaneseartist #japanesecraft #japaneseamerican