John Naka’s California Juniper “Heisei”
By George Haas
February 8, 2025
Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) Item #146 California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
Donated by John Naka on October 26, 1999.
History: This tree was collected by John Naka on November 29, 1989, from the northwest end of the California Mojave Desert referred to as the Sand Canyon. Permission to dig the California juniper was given by the Quail Mountain Ranch in Sand Canyon.
Named “Heisei” which means achieving peace and harmony in Japanese. The name was given by John Naka because the tree was collected in 1989 and it was also the year the new Emperor of Japan named the era Heisei.
“Heisei Bonsai” refers to a style or approach to creating bonsai trees that developed during the Heisei era in Japan (1989-2019). Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing and training miniature trees in containers, and it has a rich history and various styles, such as formal upright, informal upright, slanting, cascade, and forest.
The Heisei era brought about innovations and a modern sensibility to the traditional art of bonsai. Some Heisei bonsai artists have been known to experiment with new techniques, aesthetics, and species of trees, while still respecting the core principles of this ancient practice.
Who was John Naka?
John Yoshio Naka (August 16, 1914 – May 19, 2004) was an American horticulturist, teacher, author, and master bonsai cultivator. Author of Bonsai Techniques I and Bonsai Techniques II, texts that are revered as being the bibles of western bonsai to many artists.
Awards and honors.
On May 23, 1960, an honorary citation from Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunichiro Fujiyama for effort in promotion of goodwill and friendship between Japan and the United States.
On November 24, 1967, an honorary medal and citation from the President of Japanese Agricultural Affairs Department, Prince Takamatsu and Eikichi Hiratsuka.
On May 20, 1972, an honorary citation from County of Los Angeles’ Supervisor Ernest E. Debs on behalf of the County for his outstanding contributions to the Japanese American friendship by providing the people of Los Angeles and the nation with ability to understand and appreciate the beauty and significance of bonsai culture.
In 1985, Emperor Hirohito of Japan bestowed upon John Naka the most prestigious award for a non-Japanese citizen, The Fifth Class of the Order of the Rising Sun.
In 1990, the North American Pavilion at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, on the grounds of the United States National Arboretum, was named in honor of John Naka. His famous bonsai “Goshin” is displayed at the entrance. In 2001, a portrait bust by Bonnie Kobert-Harrison was unveiled there.
Naka was chosen in 1992 as one of thirteen honorees to receive a National Heritage Fellowship, the first bonsai artist to receive this prestigious award.
He was awarded a 2009 Pacific Pioneer Award posthumously. The American Bonsai Society named the John Naka Award for him. An endowment fund was established in his name.
In May 2014, Naka became the first inductee into the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s Bonsai Hall of Fame.
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. and world. He was present and spoke at the grand opening of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, on November 6, 1999.
Repotting of “Heisei”.
BGLM volunteers Samuel Tan and Addison Galambos undertook the task of re-styling this iconic bonsai starting on January 28, 2024. Upon completion of the re-styling, the tree was displayed on wooden blocks and angled to show its new position when repotted later. The tree was allowed to gain foliage and overall strength before its repotting.
On February 8, 2025, Samuel Tan and Addison Galambos led a team of volunteers in the repotting of the California juniper. Other volunteer team members included Yuri Aono, Michal Tiede, Nicole Yabut, Nick Vila, Brett Witmer, Alexander Dulkin, and Paul Jones.
A general rule for repotting a large bonsai tree would be five to seven years due to the following factors:
o Age of the tree
o Size of the tree and pot
o Breakdown of the soil or compacted soil
o Root growth or root bound
o Water flow decreases
The last time this California juniper was re-potted was on February 8, 2021.
