Migoto

Harry Hirao

I had the real pleasure of meeting the wonderful bonsai Master Harry Hirao, who is also known as "Mr. California Juniper". (Cindy introduced us.) Mr. Hirao has prominant trees and distinctive suiseki in the National Arboretum in Washington and other well known collections around the country. He is sought after as a speaker, though he rarely leaves California. The collecting trips he hosts for California Junipers are well known and I have heard many wonderful stories from these digs. (Just don't follow him up the mountain unless you want to carry his tree back down.) At 88 years old, he is actively involved in many aspects of bonsai and still gives classes from his home. He lives in Huntington, California and when I asked what club he belongs to, he smiled and said, "All of them." He still has his very first bonsai, a California Juniper, of couse, and they are still his favorite. His tools of choice are Masakuni. Advice for beginners: "Give it some time." If he didn't spend so much time with the trees, he would spend more time collecting suiseki. He is warm and gracious and gave me a hearty handshake. His smile is contagious and his presence is inspiring. Picture to come.

Michelle

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It is better to have a hen tomorrow than an egg today.

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