On November 8, 2025, at the entrance to the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, Della T. Shiba, nine Shiba family members, bonsai garden volunteers, and friends gathered to honor Dr. Seiji Shiba in the unveiling of an Eitokuji stone lantern.
A stone lantern placed at the entrance to a bonsai garden evokes a traditional Japanese aesthetic, symbolizing welcome and tranquility. These lanterns often serve both a decorative and symbolic purpose, guiding visitors into a space of contemplation and harmony.
A plaque read “In honor of Dr. Seiji Shiba, founding Chairman, Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (1995-2008) Della Shiba and family”
Director Suzanne Muller and Curator Gordon Deeg spoke about Dr. Shiba’s contributions to the creation of the bonsai garden, which opened to the public on November 6, 1999. Afterwards everyone joined in having light refreshments. Those in attendance took time to tour the bonsai trees and suiseki viewing stones on display.
Unveiled Eitokuji stone lanternEitokuji stone lanternMrs. Della T. ShibaMrs. Della T. Shiba and family membersGathering of family, volunteers and friends
The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) was established to carry forward the legacy of members of the bonsai and suiseki community. The collection comprises their artistic creations cultivated over their lives: creations that inspire the many thousands of visitors that come to the garden each year. Within each tree or viewing stone at the garden lives a spirit of the original creator, and the core mission of the BGLM is to keep that spirit alive and growing.
Although this special quality of legacy living onward is most often manifested within the many stones, trees, plants, mosses, and other living things at the heart of Lake Merritt, today we have the privilege to share a different form of that enduring spirit; the incredible impact of two men whose generosity will live on through the BGLM itself.
The BGLM has the incredible honor of being a custodian of the legacy of Edward W. Pye and Dr. M. Robert Harris in the form of a $50,000 gift from the Pye-Harris Legacy Project, Inc.
Edgar Pye was a pioneering social worker whose life was devoted to inclusion, advocacy, and public service. His career spanned decades of transformative work, from helping World War II refugees and veterans, to drafting legislation that created California’s Regional Centers for the developmentally disabled. He was a tireless advocate for the aging, the poor, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. M. Robert Harris, Edgar’s partner of nearly 60 years, was a distinguished psychiatrist and educator. Known for his gentle nature and inexhaustible empathy, Dr. Harris believed in helping people return to their lives rather than remain in prolonged analysis. A lifelong gardener, he often tended the Terrace Garden at St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland, where he and Edgar lived for many years. That garden now bears his name, The Harris Terrace Garden—a quiet tribute to a man who cultivated healing and beauty personally and professionally.
Living nearby, they loved and often visited the BGLM and made generous financial donations to support us.
The income from the $50,000 Pye-Harris Legacy Foundation gift will support various important projects relating to both the BGLM’s physical infrastructure and the staff that protect and maintain the collection. Some of the projects that will be supported by this include:
Provide advanced classes for the curator team from expert bonsai teachers.
Provide for capital improvements to the infrastructure.
Design and build new stands for the collection.
As Suzanne Muller, Director of the BGLM, shared: “One of the experiences I appreciate most is being at the BGLM and seeing the look on a first-time guest’s face as they approach the entrance and see the beauty – the joy we see in that moment is priceless. Similarly, the warmth we receive from returning visitors feels like welcoming an old friend. Among those cherished friends were Edgar Pye and Dr. Harris, whose deep love for the BGLM was matched only by their generosity. Their gifts have helped us share that same joy and beauty with countless guests; and with this gift their impact will grow far into the future. We are so grateful for them, and for every guest – new and returning – who walks through our the BGLM’s doors.
This gift reminds us how important it is to protect not just the creative works themselves – the bonsai and suiseki – but the experiences and communities they nourish. For volunteers, docents, and visitors alike, the BGLM is a place of learning and reflection—where people slow down, ask questions, and make meaning. Over time, we’ll share updates as these new initiatives take shape—and spotlight the volunteers and donors who help make it possible.
As the BGLM continues to grow, so too does the legacy of these two extraordinary individuals. Their spirit will live on with every docent-led tour, every educational program, and every visitor who pauses to find beauty, inspiration, and feeling as they walk through the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.
Dr. Robert Harris left with Edgar Pye, right, at a celebration.
Left is a plaque honoring Dr. Harris for his contribution to the Terrace Garden, renamed Harris Terrace Garden. Right is Dr. Harris in the garden.
Below are images of the Harris Terrace Garden at St. Paul’s Towers.
BGLM is now in its 26th year. Open to the public since November 6, 1999, at the Gardens of Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, USA. Last year, BGLM celebrated its 25 years of bonsai artistry and community dedication by publishing a stunning commemorative photo album. This publication is a rich tribute to the garden’s legacy, blending history, heartfelt volunteer stories, and breathtaking visuals of bonsai trees and suiseki viewing stones.
This photo album can become a treasured part of your personal library. Shipping available. To order a photo album, contact George Haas at gwhaas@comcast.net.
Several changes in management have recently taken place at the Bonsai Garden at Lake
Merritt (BGLM).
DIRECTOR
The new Director of the BGLM is Suzanne Muller. Suzanne formerly was Assistant Director and
succeeds Gordon Deeg. As Assistant Director, Suzanne began the transition to becoming
Director in November 2023, training under Gordon and working closely with the volunteers in
specific operational areas (finance, security, water system, etc.)
The Director’s responsibilities will continue to include overseeing infrastructure (security, water
system, etc.), finances (fundraising, relationships and grant writing with corporate and
foundation donors), scheduled events (Mammoth, Moon Viewing). Going forward, Suzanne will
increase BGLM’s engagement with local bonsai clubs, communicate on a regular basis with
garden volunteers, and work to improve the on-boarding process for new volunteers. Suzanne
will manage facilities improvements, ranging from more informative and attractive tree
description placards to improvements to the physical plant.
CURATOR
The new Curator of the BGLM is Gordon Deeg, who was the Director of BGLM from 2018 to
November 2024. Gordon’s responsibilities as Curator will continue to include managing the care
and maintenance of the garden’s tree collection, tracking and keeping a record of work done by
other volunteers and maintaining a development plan and a record of work done on each tree.
Going forward, Gordon will focus especially on training opportunities for both experienced and
new volunteers. He will work closely with the team of Assistant Curators, who, after acquiring
bonsai experience over a specified number of years, may participate in a BGLM education
program that will offer instruction by well-known professional bonsai artists. For inexperienced
volunteers, Gordon will make available training in specific areas of tree care such as repotting,
fertilization, watering, and defoliation. Gordon will seek the team’s input on their goals as
volunteers, as well as their current work schedule, their ideas for garden improvements, and
their developing expertise.
Areas of overlapping responsibilities which the Director and the Curator will share include the
accession, deaccession, and loan of trees, selecting trees for exhibit at shows, improvements to
the tree displays, allocation of resources to special projects as needed, garden landscaping,
and the overall state of the garden.
The position of Curator was previously held by Gary Tom. Gary ended his work and affiliation
with the garden in November 2024, at which time his responsibilities were taken on by Gordon.
With Gordon’s transition from Director to Curator, Suzanne took on the role of Director.
It is appropriate here to take note of Gary Tom’s decades of work in maintaining and improving
the garden. Gary’s commitment to BGLM began long before he became Curator. That the
garden is currently in very good shape, with so many healthy and beautiful trees, is a testament
to his dedication and skill. Our expressions of gratitude cannot encompass all of Gary’s
contributions. We wish him success in his future endeavors.
The 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
By George Haas
November 9, 2024
Today, the volunteer members of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) held a celebration for the first 25 years (November 6, 1999 to November 6,2024) of BGLM, located at Lakeside Park, Gate 4, Lake Merritt, in Oakland, California.
At 1:00 p.m., the sounds of Japanese taiko drums were heard throughout the Gardens at Lake Merritt and beyond, performed by six members of Sonoma County Taiko. The crowd of invited guests and the general public gathered around the entrance gate to the BGLM. Gordon Deeg, Director of the BGLM, spoke to the occasion and informed those in attendance of the past and present efforts of bonsai enthusiasts who created and cared for the BGLM. He honored a list of individuals who were instrumentally responsible for establishing the BGLM.
Folks like Japanese Americans Toicho Domoto and Bill Hashimoto, who as early as 1974 came up with the concept of a permanent home for bonsai. Groundbreaking for the BGLM occurred in 1997, and it wasn’t until 1999 that the bonsai garden’s gate was opened to the public.
A commemorative book was published for the BGLM to honor the donors, supporters and volunteers (more than 1,700 individuals), record the past 25 years and showcase the bonsai and suiseki viewing stones in the collection.
Hideko Metaxas was present for the occasion. She was the former President of the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) instrumental in obtaining board approval for two collections, BGLM in northern California and the Huntington bonsai collection in southern California.
Della Shiba and daughters were present as well. Della’s husband, Dr. Seiji Shiba, was a founding member and initial director for the BGLM.
Bob and Polly Gould were also present. They were present in building the BGLM and served in various key positions since its grand opening.
Director Gordon Deeg has been there since the beginning, serving as director twice. He introduced Ms. Mayu Hagiwara, Consul and Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Center, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco.
Ms. Mayu Hagiwara spoke to those in attendance and was delighted to see how the ancient Japanese art form of bonsai was so popular and continued on to present day. She spoke of growing up in Japan and of being impressed with bonsai miniature trees. She spent time touring the BGLM bonsai and suiseki collection.
Dennis and Joanne Makishima were there too. Dennis was coordinator in the building of the BGLM and managed the installment of both American and Japanese designs in the bonsai garden’s layout. Dennis and Joanne donated their 40 years of bonsai trees and memorabilia to BGLM, resulting in the largest auction and sale ever. All proceeds went to create a curator’s fund.
By mid-day, the folks in attendance grew significantly. Sale of commemorative books and anniversary t-shirts was a success. All were invited to enjoy light refreshments.
I personally would like to thank all who attended to help celebrate the first 25 years of the bonsai garden. I am confident by the popularity and interest shown by bonsai enthusiasts and the general public that BGLM will continue to grow and flourish.
1. The Sonoma County Taiko
2. Sonoma County Taiko
3. Sonoma County Taiko
4. Ms. Mayu Hagiwara, Consul and Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Center, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco Credit: Randi Keppeler
5. Ms. Mayu Hagiwara and Gordon Deeg Credit: Randi Keppeler
The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) main entrance gate was designed and built by Hiroshi Sakaguchi of Occidental, California. Hiroshi is a skilled joinery wood craftsman and “…practices what men in his family have been doing for more than 600 years, the ancient Japanese craft of joinery woodworking, which uses no visible glue, nails or screws.”
Hiroshi is a daiku, an architectural carpenter. He started his own business, Ki Arts (1985), producing fine Japanese furniture and large structures, such as traditional tearooms, bridges and entrance gates. Hiroshi was hired to design and construct the main entrance gate to BGLM in 1999.
Hiroshi described that in Japanese style architecture, the entrance gate is a serious undertaking that symbolizes “the boundary between two worlds.” For the BGLM, that meant someone is crossing over from a public park to a very special and “unique world of bonsai.”
When in 1999, Hiroshi first saw the construction site at BGLM, the perimeter fence was almost complete. He felt the perimeter fence was built too much to American specifications. He would design the main gate based on Japanese culture. It would be modest and not to distract from the high cultural art of bonsai. Bonsai was practiced by high Samurai nobility in Japan from which it gets the reputation of being “a high cultural art form.”
Hiroshi chose to construct a sukiya-style gate. The style was intended not upstage the bonsai. “I am not the star; the bonsai are the stars.” A sukiya-style gate was more simplified and natural in appearance. “… I thought the simple post and beam structure would be a good contrast to the complex twist and turns of bonsai.”
The roof overhangs the gate and is kirizuma-style (ridge or gable). It’s the oldest and simplest of Japanese gates. The roof is considered the most complicated construction portion for the gate. There are two roof sides that connect to the ridge. There is a downward angle to protect the entrance doors from the rain. “I hand carved the two gegyo or wooden ornaments hanging under the gate on each side of the roof.” These features are traditional Japanese. “The roof of a Japanese gate is like “… a crown…” designating the significance of entering. It speaks “Entering here is an important act. Pay attention!”
Hiroshi used traditional gate measurements in proportion width to height. To fill open space after the perimeter fence was constructed, he had to add extension walls on each side of the gate.
The foundation was made with concrete and the footings placed four feet into the ground. Granite stones were placed at the base of the wooden posts. Hiroshi used Port Orford cedar, Western red cedar and redwood in constructing the gate. Port Orford cedar from Oregon is close to the Japanese hinoki cypress used in traditional Japanese construction. Port Orford cedar is dried for one to six years in order to stabilize it from shrinkage. Today, it is very difficult to purchase high quality Port Orford cedar, since most is sent to Japan and China.
Hiroshi relied on traditional joinery, where the work is done in his shop and later brought to the construction site. He works alone mostly and cuts the pieces in his shop, except for the pre-cut red cedar roof shingles.
Hiroshi uses three measuring systems: traditional shaku unit of length, metric and inch. The gate pieces were laid out, cut and shaped accordingly. The joinery was hand cut by saw, hammer and wood chisel, requiring traditional skills. He would hand plane many of the wooden pieces. The work in the shop required a lot longer than assembling the pieces at the construction site. Once the pieces were located on site, Hiroshi constructed the foundation and assembled the gate. The final work involved shingling the roof, attaching the kasugi or decorative wood ornament and installing the doors.
After 25 years, the pre-cut, red cedar roofing shingles were showing signs of wear and tear due to climate conditions. In 2024, Hiroshi was contracted again to repair the roof by installing hand-crafted copper metal panels. The new roof will be resistant to the weather and last for 100 years or more.
Reprinted; this article was first published in GSBF Golden Statements magazine November/December 1997.
SAN MATEO BONSAI CLUB EXHIBITS TREES DESTINED FOR THE GSBF COLLECTION-NORTH
By Nancy and Marian Eaton * Photographs submitted by Nancy Eaton
A visit to the San Mateo Bonsai Club show each September is always a treat. Over the years, club members, under the direction of their instructor, Mitsuo Umehara, have developed a multitude of excellent bonsai of many species. They specialize in fruiting bonsai, and more trees hung with colorful fruits are to be seen at their show than at any other in northern California. This year, however, the show promised to be more spectacular than ever before because four of the recent donations to the Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection-North were on display, one for the first time ever in public.
MR. GOTCHER WITH THE DAIMYO OAK READY FOR TRANSPORT
As we entered the crowded hall, our eyes were immediately drawn toward the brightly illuminated center of the room where a Daimyo oak with a massive, furrowed and hollowed trunk and long branches that reached for the ceiling stood. This tree, still planted in its original antique Chinese pot, was the gift of Dr. Robert Gotcher of Hillsborough.
The history of the oak as told to us by Dr. Gotcher, is a long and fascinating one. In 1861, Anson Burlingame was appointed United States Minister to China by President Abraham Lincoln, a post that he held until his resignation in 1867. Immediately thereafter, Burlingame was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary by the Chinese government to lead a Chinese diplomatic mission to the United States and several European nations. This mission resulted in the “Burlingame Treaty,” concluded with the United States in 1868., which recognized China’s eminent domain over all its territories, and to a great extent normalized relations between China and the United States. Through this work, Mr. Burlingame became a
very important person in U.S.- Asian affairs and undoubtedly received many gifts as he traveled from China by way of Japan back to Washington D.C. One such gift was the Daimyo oak (Quercus denrata), presented to Burlingame in Japan, and presented now, over a century later, by Dr. Gotcher to the Collection-North. We know that Mr. Burlingame acquired land on the San Francisco Peninsula in what is now Hillsborough, and although he died before he could build his retirement home there as planned, the nearby City of Burlingame was named for him. The tree has spent a good part of its life in Hillsborough; however, Dr. Gotcher believes that he is only the third owner of the oak since Anson Burlingame acquired it 130 years ago.
Although the tree was apparently not been trained as a bonsai for years, that it is still healthy and growing is a tribute to the care its owners have given it over time. It is hard to guess how many years the oak had been grown in Japan before it came to the United States. The size of the pot suggests that it was a big tree when it was first potted, and it undoubtedly was trained for many years before it was given as a gift. Although we can only speculate about the actual age of the tree, we can be quite sure that it was imported from Japan earlier and still alive in the United States today.
FOUR MEMBERS OF THE SAN MATEO BONSAI CLUB ARE NEEDED TO MOVE THE TREE. LEFT TO RIGHT: MR. FUKUDOME, MR. SAKUMA, MR. OTA, AND MR. UMEHARA.
Visitors discuss plans and blueprints for the collection-north display grounds. Daimyo oak, as viewed from the probable new front.
Mr. Umehara knew of the oak’s existence, because he was called in as an expert to repot it about 20 years ago. He and Mrs. Hideko Metaxas were instrumental in acquiring the tree for the Collection-North.
Spectacular as the oak is, a number of years of careful training will be required to bring it back to bonsai proportions. This work will be in the capable hands of Mr. Umehara.
A few words about the oak’s antique pot: it is of Chinese origin, with patterns of flowers and a bird painted in cream-colored slip beneath a transparent brown glaze. Because no drainage holes were made in the pot, we know that it was originally not intended for bonsai. We know that pots like it were often exported to Japan, where bonsai growers drilled each with a single small hole low on the wall in an inconspicuous place to provide drainage. The oak’s pot has such a hole, surprisingly small compared to those thought necessary today.
Antique pot viewed from the front
Mr. Umehara’s Japanese white pine group
Although the oak was given the place of honor at the San Mateo show, three very fine donated bonsai were also on display. Two were trees raised by Mr. Umehara from seed planted 37 years ago! One was an informal upright Black pine with a wonderful thick, plated trunk. The other was a group planting of five Japanese white pines. Mr. Tadashi Sakuma, also of the San Mateo Bonsai Club, donated the California juniper styled by Masahiko Kimura at the 1987 Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention in Anaheim.
In a brief ceremony, GSBF First Vice President Seiji Shiba accepted the donated trees on behalf of the Collection-North. He presented certifications of appreciation to each of the donors. (Unfortunately, Dr. Gotcher was unable to receive the due to family emergency.)
Mr. Sakuma’s Japanese black pine
Mr. Sakuma’s California juniper
Dr. Shiba commended the San Mateo Bonsai Club for its efforts on behalf of the Collection-North, and said that he hoped other clubs would follow their lead in finding trees for the collection. He reported that the City of Oakland had granted the final permissions needed to develop the bonsai exhibition site. Work will begin by the end of the year. He stressed the need for establishing an endowment fund for the Collection-North and urged bonsai enthusiasts to contribute both labor and money to help the long dreamed-about Collection-North become a wonderful , permanent reality.
Transplanting a 1,500 Year Old California Juniper Bonsai
By George Haas
On December 31, 2023, the task of transplanting a 1,500 plus year old California juniper bonsai was undertaken by Peter Tea, a notable bonsai professional, at the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, in Oakland, California.
The California juniper was collected in the 1990’s from the Sand Canyon in the high Mojave Desert located in southern California. The tree was donated by Oliver Kilroy.
“Yamadori” means in Japanese “collected from the wild”. The tree’s first transplanting was soon after being dug up and placed in a large, growing box for three to five years. This period would allow the tree to recover and to grow feeder roots radiating from the trunk, just below the soil surface. When the tree is healthy, foliage is bushy and branch runners appear, can it be fitted to a unglazed, clay bonsai pot. In this case, a very large, rectangle pot.
All bonsai require re-potting from time to time. A general rule for a large bonsai tree
would be five to seven years due to the following factors:
Age of the tree
Size of the tree and pot
Breakdown of the soil or compacted soil
Root growth or root bound
Water flow decreases
The last time this California juniper was re-potted was more than 20 years ago.
Due to the age of the tree and length of time since its last transplanting, Peter was requested to undertake the task. Peter was assisted by his apprentice Eli Iristree, long time client Max Vally and garden volunteer Michal Tiede.
The tree and its root ball had to be gently removed from its current pot. It took everyone’s effort to lift the tree out of the pot. The tree was removed to the workshop area where work would begin on the root ball. Root pruning is necessary to clean up dead roots and shape the root ball to fit into its new pot. An unglazed, oval brown in color clay pot was chosen. The new pot is smaller in size and so careful shaping of the root ball was required.
Fitting the tree to its new pot requires a trained eye. Peter would look for equal distance and balance, making sure the right angle and/or levelness were obtained in settling the root ball into the pot. Next, comes the wire tie down of the root ball and tree. This step
is required of all bonsai trees so that there is no movement to disturb the growth of fine roots. Movement can damage the fine roots causing root rot.
New bonsai soil mix is then added to the re-potted tree. Peter uses a measured mixture of medium size pumice and Akadama pre-mix from Japan. The pre-mix is part Akadama, pumice and lava rock. Here they work to fill all the air pockets that surround the root ball. They moved the bonsai tree back to its bench to complete the work. Only when satisfied that no air pockets remain, Peter will water thoroughly.
Water is important to a healthy bonsai tree. Watering a newly transplanted bonsai tree is critical. Water must soak into the freshly added soil mix and drench the root ball and roots. Peter takes pride in using the water hose to water down the newly completed transplanting of this old, California juniper. The tree will be monitored for weeks to ensure nothing went wrong. From all appearances, the California juniper looks great in its new pot.
The Re-styling of John Naka’s California Juniper Bonsai
By George Haas
Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) Item #146 California Juniper Juniperus californica
Date of acquisition: 1999
Height: 45 inches
Donated by John Naka
History: This tree was collected in 1989 from the northwest end of the California Mojave Desert referred to as the Sand Canyon.
Mojave Desert: The arid region located in southeastern California with portions in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The environment has little or no rain, too dry or barren to support much vegetation and hot climate. The climate experiences extreme variations in daily temperatures, frequent winter frosts and averages annual precipitation of two to six inches (50 to 150 mm). The Mojave has mountain-and-basin topography, and sparse vegetation which includes California juniper (Juniperus californica), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), burroweed (Isocoma tenuisecta), and occasional cacti (mostly species of Cholla). Named after the Mojave people. The Mojave Desert occupies more than 25,000 square miles (65,000 square km).
[Source: Britannica]
John Naka is referred to as the father of North American bonsai for his efforts to promote the living art of bonsai throughout the U.S. He was present and spoke at the grand opening of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, on November 6, 1999. Naka collected some extraordinary California junipers from the Mojave Desert for bonsai.
From time to time, all legacy bonsai trees such as this John Naka California juniper must undergo re-styling as they continue to grow and increase in foliage mass. BGLM volunteers Samuel Tan and Addison Galambos undertake the task of re-styling this iconic bonsai. It will take several days to clean, prune, wire, and shape the large California juniper.
Samuel Tan and Addison Galambos undertake the task of re-styling the California juniper (January 2024)
John Naka California juniper before re-styling (2023)
The tree’s life vein is cleaned to distinguish it from the deadwood. Bending old, large tree branches downward create an aging impression. The bending requires special bonsai artistry and techniques with the carving out the branch, wrapping raffia and copper wire around the branch and then applying downward moving pressure to position the branch just right. It will take time for the branch to set and become semi- permanent. Guy wires are also used to bring down smaller branches. Thick four gauge copper wire is used on interior branches. The pot is placed on wooden blocks to change the overall angle of the bonsai design during repotting. Lastly, smaller gauge copper wires are used to complete the detailed wiring of branch pads.
Cleaning by removing old wire and thinning foliage
Cleaning and thinning foliage
Use of guy wire holding branch downward
Use of raffia for bending thick branches
Use of heavy gauge copper wire for bending branches
Stripping bark off of branch to create aging deadwood, referred to as Jin in Japanese
Cleaning life vein in contrast to deadwood
John Naka California juniper after re-styling (January 2024)
