Bonsai of the Rich & Famous

Ian_Homer

It is a well known fact that when someone famous is seen to
endorse a particular product or "hobby" that public interest is greatly increased. This got me wondering - apart from the well known names within the Bonsai World - do any of the forum members know of anyone (past or present) who are/were into Bonsai ?
People like Popstars, Filmstars, TV Personalities, Sportsmen etc...

I certainly do not know of anyone in Britain at the moment. Perhaps in other parts there may be. Could their celebrity status be used in the promotion of Bonsai for the good of all ?

Does anyone have a tree with a "star" as a former owner ?

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Jonny D

Hi Ian, my bonsai teacher once told me a story about how he had been displaying at Chelsea Flower Show and that Cliff Richard (some of you in the US might not know him but hes a singer from the 50's/60's who still (IMO) "tries" to be popular now) had approached the display and after looking for a while approached my teacher infoming him that he has decided "to do bonsai" and enquired about purchasing. You need to understand at this point that my teacher tells it as it is... after being told that it wasn't a good idea (my words), Cliff responded with "my gardener will look after them whilst i'm away". You can imagine the response to that...

Jonny.

Oh, and I'm not sure that this sort of endoresment (IMO) by Cliff would make bonsai more popular!

Attila

Celebrities and bonsai, like oil and water. Too much traveling involved.

I read somewhere that a high-ranking Japanese politician was into bonsai. Wherever he traveled, he always took a few trees with him and displayed in the hotel room.

Attila

RonMartin(deceased)

Last time I was in West Palm Beach FL. I heard that Celine Dyon was into bonsai.
She does have a "residence" just across the river from Jupiter Bonsai and when I get invited over there I will send pictures.
Could be a while thought. My calendar is a bit full ;o)

TreeBay

One of the most famous bonsai collectors in Japan is a Golfer named, "Jumbo" something or other. He is a multimillionaire and an avid bonsai collector.

There's an English-language bonsai video out that shows just a few minutes in his garden. He's acknowledged "collector" though. He brings in the bonsai masters to work on his collection.

Then there was a mame collector named Zeko Nakamura, I think. He was a comedian/entertainer and had a couple hundred of these thumb sized micro-shohin. He would take them with him when he traveled.

He had a couple books out, "Bonsai Miniatures" among others, and had some parts in Akira Kurosawa movies http://www.dvdpris.com/5457

Regards,

Matt

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Cre8tive

Matt,

Remind me to never play you in a high stakes game of Trivial Pursuit!!!

Regards,
Mark

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Bonsainut

Yeah, what about that guy who is the president of Spain, I think Puis Notter and John Naka used to give him private lessons. He's a real avid hands on bonsai dude.

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Lethal Use of Farce

Ian_Homer

Thank you all for the posts so-far.

Yes, I am not so sure people who "employ" gardeners and the like to look after bonsai have really got the message and are reaping the benefits and joy that the hobby can bring. They are not to be seen as "trophies" displayed in some fancy expensive setting to impress visitors. But maybe, they will learn in time.

Again, there are bound to be those who will make the time and spend hours "hands on" with their trees just like the majority of us.

If I suddenly hit the number 1 spot, win the lottery or find I have a "as yet "unfound natural skill in sport - I will always find time for Bonsai. To many of us - it is a way of life that working interupts.
Those who are able to combine working with Bonsai and have a career in it must be (IMO) amongst the happiest people on earth. (Unless you know otherwise !)

Look forward to hearing of more "famous" people with a Bonsai interest.

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Rene_Voortwist

I know the queen of belgium has a bonsai collection that is maintained by Marc Noelanders. Is she famous enough ?? ;-D
As far as I know the collection of the spanish king is, amongst others, maintained by Hotsumi Terakawa.

regards, René