Defining Concepts Courses/International Bonsai Mirai School

Introduction:

International Bonsai Mirai’s Defining Concepts courses provide a  classroom based education combined with hands-on training. Ryan’s focus centers around technical training and its application to innovative design concepts. Students will gain the knowledge they need to advance their bonsai skills and appreciation of artistic bonsai design.

Courses are based on species-specific study where students learn a full scope of knowledge about one individual species. From fundamental horticulture, care, and maintenance to styling and development the Defining Concepts courses leave no stone unturned. Utilizing both native and foreign cultivars, Ryan’s objective is to teach students how to take a tree in any state; raw, developed, or somewhere in between, and utilize the correct methods to establish health and develop the tree into a show quality bonsai.

The pillar of Ryan’s approach centers on teaching students “Why”. Why are certain techniques more effective? Why are seasonal differences pivotal for success? Why is one design more pleasing than another? By learning to analyze why things happen, students develop the ability to answer their own questions as they take the full scope of knowledge Ryan provides and connect the Defining Concepts of each species together. In Ryan’s mind, building bonsai knowledge is like constructing a home. The quality and integrity depends on the strength of the foundation. Come build your bonsai future from the foundation up at Bonsai Mirai.

Course description: Juniper

No other species used in bonsai bears the scars of their existence like the juniper. Its often unique and contorted maze of deadwood and living tissue are natural expressions of contradicting life and death. However, realizing the potential of junipers as bonsai is difficult unless the conditions which create the drama in junipers are studied and the process of transformation from a rugged to a refined bonsai is understood.

At International Bonsai Mirai, the Defining Concepts Juniper Course is based around teaching students a horticultural understanding of junipers and how each diverse species grows. Followed by an education in the techniques and artistic principles involved in creating show quality bonsai. Students will learn why and how to clean junipers, define live veins, analyze and address aesthetic deadwood issues, manipulate and establish shape in mature branches, repot and manage junipers’ roots, refine design through fine wiring, and finally control growth through sound horticultural practice to achieve a showable bonsai.

From the high elevation junipers of the Sierra Nevadas to the California junipers growing in the Mojave desert, come learn the intracacies of one of bonsai’s most fundamental subjects. The Defining Concepts Juniper courses.

Note: Students will be allowed to bring their own material to work on IF the material is of a level which the rest of the group can benefit from learning and working with. Otherwise Ryan would encourage students to take the knowledge gained and apply it to their collection outside of class.

For those students wishing to gain higher levels of competency working with junipers multi-year courses are encouraged.

Course description: Pines

Pines have long been the heart and soul of bonsai, and throughout the world the species continues to be a cornerstone of the art. The subtly of their beauty and the aged rugged nature of their bark never cease to captivate true bonsai conoisseurs. In fact, bonsai scholars often consider appreciation of pines to be the pinnacle of bonsai under the notion it takes a greater depth of undestanding to appreciate the quiet nature of their character. For Ryan, the spirit of pines is more heartfelt, dating back to his days fishing in the Rocky Mountains. It was his love of pines which propelled him to begin bonsai and it was his desire to master their subdued character which enticed Ryan to pursue his apprenticeship with his master Mr. Kimura. Having worked on pines in Japan, Europe, and across the United States, Ryan is excited to offer and ecclectic scope of knowledge at International Bonsai Mirai’s Defining Concepts Pine course.

Ryan’s objective for his pine course is to educate students on the fundamental consistencies of all pines, followed by in depth study of the intricate aspects and details which make each species unique. From the horticultural and aesthetic considerations applied to Japanese Red, Black, and White pine to the artistic considerations necessary for utilizing western species such as the Ponderosa limber, and lodegpole pine, Ryan hopes to open his students’ minds to how pines are cultivated and artistically designed.  

Note: Contrary to the Juniper course, students are encouraged to bring their personal trees to the courses to be analyzed as a group and worked on individually.