Quote:
Ron Martin said
California has a thriving bonsai community. But it came about because people like John Naka ( and a whole host of others) convinced the public it was a good thing. The same happened in Florida because of Mary Madison, Jim Smith , Jim Moody etc. ( I know more names here but the idea is the same) The Carolinas had E. Felton Jones.
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I don't know about that. I would think that most people find out about John Naka and others after thay spend some time reading books or find the internet or join a club. I don't think many people start doing bonsai because they accidentaly find out about John Naka, or anybody else you named for that matter. If you had some personal influance (relative and seen their collection) may make some differance. It would be interesting to have started a poll to find out just what the major inspiration to bonsai is.
I would submitt this time table:
Years in Bonsai - Probable inspiration
1-3 - Internet
3-5 - Mallsai gift
5-10 - Karate Kid Movie
10-20 - Bonsai show or related event
20 or more - Did they have plants then?
I am at a loss why everyone thinks bonsai has to go somewhere?
Why does it need to be compared to fine art, and why do we need to shout it out to the masses? I belong to a few clubs, display my trees in a few shows and some conventions now and then, attend workshops with prominent experts and enjoy my collection daily. If the whole bonsai world were to suddenly collapse around me, it would not change the way I do or percieve bonsai in the least.