In August 2013 the Goulburn Bonsai Society had the pleasure of hosting Mr Masashi Hirao who conducted a workshop for the members. The local society was very fortunate to have him attend and for this many thanks must go to Megumi Bennett who helped with the arrangements.
Masa was on a world tour as a Japan Cultural Envoy specialising in bonsai after he had completed his bonsai apprenticeship at Mansei-en, Saburo Kato’s garden in Omiya Village.
The local members really enjoyed Masa’s skill and enthusiasm for bonsai and he is certainly welcome back anytime he chooses.
Masa preparing for the workshop
It was a “standard” workshop with a number of members bringing in their own trees to work on, with the assistance of Masa. First up is a juniper that will really be a good bonsai in a short period of time.
The juniper being evaluated by Masa
The same juniper now only a few years away from exhibition standard
Junipers were the “order of the day” as many members brought a juniper for this workshop.
Cascade style juniper before work commenced
The cascade style juniper after the initial work
Although there were a few junipers, all were differing types and the styles chosen were also different.
The before photo and it looks like a bush
And after, Masa just putting the finishing touches to the apex
For a change of pace, a Buxus (Japanese Box) that was dug from a garden a couple of years ago.
Masa surveying the potential
Another tree that we hope is now only a few years away from exhibition
Enough of those evergreen species, back to the junipers……
The before photo
The after photo – from “fluffy” to dramatic, a great result
And finally a deciduous species to add some balance.
The tree under discussion
The future for this tree is starting to look much brighter
While we are on the decidious theme, here is a red leaf flowering plum.
A quick trim before we start
Trimmed, wired and now the placement starts
As you can see in all the photos the local members were all listening intently to the advice and instructions freely given by Masa during his time in Goulburn and we very much appreciate his generosity and kind nature.
Finally, Masa’s “Golden Scissors” which we were allowed to look at, but not touch.
