On November 9, 2024, the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, in Oakland, California, will be celebrating its first 25 years. Special arrangements are in the planning for an afternoon of celebration.
Location: Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), 650 Bellevue Ave., Gate 4, Lakeside Park, Oakland, California.
Time: 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
It was as early as 1974, when the concept for the bonsai garden came about during a conversation between Toicho Domoto and Bill Hashimoto, two notable Japanese American bonsai pioneers. They were interested in preserving bonsai produced in northern California. They understood bonsai required a permanent place to continue to thrive. They asked themselves what will happen when we can no longer care for and maintain our bonsai trees? The answer to their question was and is the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.
On April 5, 1997, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site located within the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Construction took more than two years. Support for the bonsai and suiseki display garden came from individuals and bonsai clubs throughout the State of California. Hundreds of volunteers and donors were responsible for making the concept into a reality.
BGLM opened its gates to the public on November 6, 1999, by hosting a grand opening celebration of bonsai and suiseki, held on site at the Gardens of Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Garden Center. Dennis Makishima was master of ceremonies for the grand opening, including then Mayor Jerry Brown, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, John Naka, Harry Hirao and other Japanese American bonsai artists, Yasuo Mitsuya of Japan, Recreation and Parks Officials, and many more. In addition to the ribbon cutting, there was a lively celebration inside the Lakeside Park Garden Center; well attended. The San Jose Taiko drum performers were present.
Since the gates were opened to the public, the collection has dramatically grown in size. The most significant historic and legacy trees include the historic Daimyo oak brought to the U.S. during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration in the 1860’s, the 500 year old Japanese black pine donated by Mas Imazumi, was featured at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Other legacy trees were donated by famous bonsai pioneer artists; Harry Hirao, Jimmy Inadomi and John Naka, just to name a few.
A commemorative book, “Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt: The First Twenty-Five Years,” showcases the very best bonsai trees and suiseki viewing stones in the collection and celebrate the many donors and volunteers who have contributed to the evolution of what is now a museum quality bonsai and suiseki garden.
Sale of the book will take place at the following:
Oakland’s Autumn Lights Festival – October 17, 18 and 19, 2024
2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo – October 26 and 27, 2024
Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt Gift Shop – starting October 26, 2024
Mammoth Auction & Sale, March 1 and 2, 2025
Hours of Operation: BGLM is open Tuesday thru Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.
If you would like more information about the bonsai and suiseki display Garden/Museum, check out the BGLM website at https://bonsailakemerritt.com.
George Haas
BGLM Marketing Manager
gwhaas@comcast.net
California Coast Redwood
