BONSAI
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Marina Bonsai Club
LET IT GROW!
The Marina Bonsai Club provides hands-on Bonsai workshop classes. Bonsai is the Japanese art form using cultivation techniques to produce small trees that mimic the shape and scale of full-size trees.
The Marina Bonsai Club has a storied history and an amazing pedigree. Early on, John Naka, the "father of bonsai in America" was in charge. When he left, his students Ben Oki, Frank Goya, and Shig Miya became the senseis of the club. All three of them received many honors in their bonsai careers including being asked by the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. to display some of their work.
Shig
Frank
Sadly, Ben and Frank have passed away and are sorely missed. However, at the ripe young age of 103, Shig is still our sensei, our light, our role model. Ben, Frank, and Shig set the tone for the club, both as teachers and as warm, friendly, open people – all with a great sense of humor.
Because of how the three of them felt and acted, the club became a diverse group of people who are excited about bonsai and who care about each other. This was never more apparent than after the January 2025 fires when the club made sure that everyone who had lost their bonsais to the flames would have at least one new bonsai to re-start their collection.
At each meeting, members bring a plant to work on. Some are beginners who need lots of help. Others have been in the bonsai world for years, but enjoy working in the company of other club members.
The club meets every three Saturdays in Westchester from 10 am until noon. For a detailed schedule, please contact Shinya Miyakoshi at 310-951-7232.
If you are interested in learning about bonsai, stop by. You can see what our classes are like, meet our senseis and join us for tea time. Many visitors decide to join the club before the first sip of tea.
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