Yasuo Mitsuya, a Master of Gendai (contemporary style form of Bonsai training) in Japan, is an internationally renown bonsai master who has been teacher to many students in California and other states such as Kenji Miyata, Kathy Shaner, Dennis Makishima, Cheryl Manning, Boon, David DeGroot, and Gordon Deeg. In Japan, he is known as the "Bonsai Doctor". After a two year absence he returns to California.

Kathy Shaner, the first non-Japanese citizen to be honored with the title of Bonsai Master by the Nippon Bonsai Kyodo Kumiai, served a 5 year apprenticeship with Sensei Mitsuya. Continuing to share the talents of her mentor, she is the Curator for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt and teacher of many students throughout the United States.

The presence of both Yasuo Mitsuya and Kathy Shaner sharing a full week of their knowledge and artistic skills as well as practical and specialized techniques of bonsai and bonsai related topics is an opportunity not to be missed.

Seminar and Workshop Topics Featured

Day 1	Sept 1 Tue	A Day at the Garden with Mitsuya
	$50 Max 20 slots 10AM-3PM - Bring your own lunch and work in the Garden with the Master doing tasks within the Garden.
Day 2	Sept 3 Thur	*Difficult Styles (Cascade, Chokan* - Formal Upright)**
	$110 12 slots 9AM-5PM - What is behind the styles of trees and which types of trees work in these categories.
Day 3	Sept 4 Fri	The Trouble with Troublesome Trees Seminar
	$130 w/tree 12 slots $110 w/o tree (We can accommodate only 12 trees) 9AM-5PM - Hornbeam (Inushide soro, carpinus tschonoskii), Ume Modoki(Ilex serrata), Kuchi Nashi (Gardenia radicans), White Pine (Pinus parviflora), Sugi (Cryptomeria), Needle Juniper (Tosho, Juniperus rigida). Bring your troublesome tree for advice. Your type of tree doesn't have to be listed here to be discussed.
Day 4	Sept 5 Sat	Tree Transformation Workshop
	$130 w/tree 12 slots, $60 Observers w/o Tree 9AM-5PM - The Master will assess your tree. Attendees will learn the skills to make the transformation of their own tree.
Day 5	Sept 7 Mon	What the Heck do I do with This Tree Seminar
	$110 12 slots, $60 Observers w/o Tree 9AM-5PM - Watch the Master work on trees from the Garden reserve area as he talks about their styling opportunities. Later, each participant will get an unknown tree to discuss future design possibility. (This technique was well received at his Eldorado seminar years ago.) This will help students learn to assess a tree.
Day 6	Sept 8 Tue	The Art of Display at Show and Home
	$110 20 slots 9AM-5PM - Watch as Mitsuya creates a display and directs you to do the same with a tree out of the Garden. Learn to appreciate your bonsai in your home. Make your own scroll and take it with you. Suggestions on show timing. Learn to represent the correct season in your tokonoma display.
Day 7	Sept 9 Wed	Working on Garden Old Growth/New Growth Trees
	$90 12 slots work with/Mitsuya, $60 Observers w/o Tree 9AM-5PM Watch and work with Mitsuya as he works on the Mas Imazumi Pine #262, super large twisted Pomegranate #112, Daimyo Oak #115. "How do you get the leaves smaller?" (More trees may be added to this list.)

General Procedures
Question session at the end of each day.
Bring your own clean, disinfected tools and wire.
Trees should be in a bonsai pot; no raw material, mature trees only.
Box Lunch will be provided every day except Sept 1. Coffee/Tea/Water provided.

Caution: The Bay Bridge will be closed September 4-7. Please plan accordingly when commuting to the BGLM.

Hotel Suggestions:
Belleview Club, Lake Merritt Hotel

email: bonsailakemerritt@gmail.com
Registration forms are downloadable on this page.