Teachings of Naka - bonsaiTALK Community

8-Nov-2004	#1
mike_p bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Sep-2004 Location: South San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,967	*"If you can't find the front, instead find the back and then rotate it 180 degrees."* --John Y. Naka

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3-Apr-2006	#2
baldguy baldguy Join Date: Jan-2006 Location: Pine Ridge, SD Country: USA USDA Zone: 2cold AHS Heat Zone: 2hot Posts: 171	I think my favorite Naka quotes are "Even monkeys fall from trees" and "Dead trees are the tuition you pay to learn bonsai". __________________ "The Precious made me do it!"

5-Apr-2006

Dag936

bonsaiTALK Journeyman

Join Date: Jul-2005

Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts

Country: USA

Posts: 48

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldguy

I think my favorite Naka quotes are "Even monkeys fall from trees" and "Dead trees are the tuition you pay to learn bonsai".

I've heard this monkey one before and I still can't figure out what it means. Could you enlighten me?

5-Apr-2006	#4
Gnome bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Apr-2005 Posts: 28	Without the benifit of the original text to refer to I would venture to say that he meant that even a master can make a mistake on occasion. Norm

12-Jul-2006	#5
bonsaikc Registered FedEx Sender Join Date: Jan-2004 Location: Ottawa, KS Country: USA USDA Zone: 5-6 AHS Heat Zone: 7 Posts: 1,617	Ben Oki, his #1 student, told me that it meant that even a Master loses a tree on occasion. __________________ Chris Johnston "She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

12-Jul-2006	#6
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	Let me quote page one of the book “Even Monkeys Fall Out Of Trees.” John Naka was doing a demonstration to a packed audience when “With great precision he applied a coil of large gage wire to a sturdy branch. With the authority that can be gained only after many years of being a bonsai master, he positioned the branch in its new attitude. He stepped back in contemplation. As he again approached the tree, he again placed his hands on the stubborn branch to add to the character that quality that would distinguish this tree as a masterpiece. The resounding crack was intensified by the microphone around his neck. The audience sat in stunned silence. The Master , holding his newly acquired piece of kindling said “Saru moki kara ochiru. Even monkeys fall out of trees” Seems like he brought an otherwise awkward moment into perspective Sometimes it is best to go to the source to get an answer )

12-Jul-2006	#7
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	On page 59 of the same book is another one of John's bits of wisdom SARU NO AKAI SHIRI O WARAUNA (Don't laugh at the other monkey's red fanny) "Nakasan reminds us not to ridicule a persons bonsai when you probably have some at home that needs work to" It's not a bad book. Gobs of Nakaisms in it. My favorite is BAKATO HASAMI WA TSUKATIYOU SHIDAI (Fools and scissors need special handeling) "Just as most scissors will cut well when handled properly so will fools be made useful if you know how to handle them"

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