GSBF: A Moment with Harry Hirao

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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midwestbonsai

I hope one day I will be able to me this wonderful man.
Everything I hear about him is just great.
Thanks for the post.
-Paul

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Joanie

Harry is one of the most greatly loved men in California bonsai. And one of the sweetest. He is the spirit of bonsai personified.

We have more interviews coming, they need to be transcribed. And tomorrow we will take pictures for each one. People have opened up their hearts and minds for us, when asked for an interview they have all taken time and great care to give us what they could. Like a cresting wave washing over us, with their philosophies and their dreams and their love of the artform.

No matter how hard we try, we can't see everything that is going on. We can't talk to everyone. We are being casually introduced to people whose names are familiar and important to us. And every single one of them is genuinely friendly and treats us as if we were old friends.

Indeed, we are very fortunate.

Joanie

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robert1955

He is a very humble man.


Peace
Bob

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The older you get, the older old is.

Paul_Read

I assume Harry got his normal shoulder massage from cindy.

I found Cindy's pictures under Goody Bags etc.