I studied under Thomas Takata in Hilo Hawaii, True Master of the Black Pine, His Groupings and Placement was Clear perfection I miss Him Dearly and Think of His Trees and work ethic
I've never heard of this realm of work before. It's extremely fascinating and I can see the passion that people put into it. I'm curious how you began at such a young age, especially with the school system here in the united states. I'm very unsure of what I want to do in my life, I'm still young and about to go to college. I got into environmental science as my major, but I am still pulled by my love for art as well. This seems to combine both. I shall watch more of your videos, and thank you for this :)
What you are achieving is incredible. Just doing an amazing job at all things Bonsai at the highest level. You are an inspiration. Meanwhile I'm playing with 10 trees/plants in my back yard. I love what you are doing. Cheers
Hi Bjorn, we really enjoyed the first class of your 3-year course. Kris & I are looking forward to our next visit in June. You really inspire us to dig deep and learn all that you have to offer. Regardless of what we thought we already knew, you really opened our eyes to fantastic, new possibilities in this art. Today, I have signed up for Bonsai U and can't wait to graduate from the current 3-year course in 2024. Thank you so much for this opportunity. You are a very humble, kind and personable man and a GREAT teacher. Your teacher should be proud of what he created :-) God bless you my friend! Joe Cain
Good morning, from Appalachia! It's an awesome video, Bjorn. I've some questions myself, some of which have already been asked below. I've been studying bonsai over a decade, learning on my own, learning with a club, going to expos and forums, but I'm also deep into my career as a professional designer. I want to up my game. The more I do, the more I want to do. - What are your thoughts on apprenticeships in the US? - Does Japan offer short-term intensives (months vs. years)? - With room & board, possibly food allowance covered, what were the majority of other expenses for? - For the full-term apprenticeship, what breaks did you have to visit home or travel? - How has your career with bonsai, both as apprentice & professional, affected your relationships? - Do you find life as a professional rewarding? - More questions in my head, but I'll let them stew for a few. Many Thanks!
I am just getting into Bonsai as a hobby (brand new) and find your style is way different than anything you find in the states. Would it be possible to do a video of the basics? What to look for? What you like to find?
Excellent advice. I had the good fortune to live in Japan for 1 year while serving in the military. Prior to deployment we were offered a course in "culture shock". The difference in our cultures is great and this course helped me assimilate into the Japanese culture. I cannot emphasize the advantages of learning the language. Knowing just rudimentary words and phrases and making an effort to expand your knowledge and vocabulary showed native Japanese people I was genuinely interested in their culture. I found many Japanese people wanting to "practice" their english and at the same time being very helpful with me learning Japanese. I had to laugh when you said you are 6'6" tall. I myself am 6'1" tall and felt like a giant - especially in crowds and on the subway and trains and buses. You are most correct in you stating that if you are a "normal" sized westerner you are going to feel cramped, and I dare say somewhat claustrophobic until you adjust to your new surroundings. Also one very noticeable difference in cultures is the space afforded around oneself. I suppose due to the large population Japanese tend to get closer to one another while talking and generally hanging about. This can be disconcerting to a westerner who is used to "my space". Not hard to overcome but it can be an obstacle at first. My experience in Japan was a very pleasant time in my life - one I look back on in fondness.
Additional question for you, Bjorn: What would you be doing if you did not become a bonsai professional? What were you doing before you moved to Japan? How did you decide that bonsai as a career was right for you instead of simply being a hobby?
It's true. All of it - But if you are chasing a dream, go make it happen if you have the possibility! First video actually explaining reality of Bonsai nurserys in Japan.. Informative as always.
Very necesary your explanation. I love bonsai and i am in a course with a Spanish Master that went to japan several times to a bonsai nursery, to práctice and learn the tecniques. That works well for me. I know its not the same but bonsai for me is a hobby. Greetings from Madrid
im actually going to japan tomorrow. moving there. 24 and already have everything set up. just watching this just to get a little heads up. fortunately im fluent in both Japanese and English and well... Wish me luck :D
Excellent video Bjorn! Really appreciate you sharing your experience. It reminds me a lot of studying martial arts. Few students reach expert level. It takes much dedication, effort, and time. If it were easy, everyone would achieve instructor level. Keep up the great work. If I were younger, this would be my career path.
Thank you for making a video regarding some of the questions surrounding a bonsai apprenticeship. I have looking for any information that I can find on this and can't seem to find much. How did you go about finding and getting in touch with your master? What sort of costs are associated with the apprenticeship i.e. tuition, materials, etc? Are there any sort of requirements other than a sharp mind, loyalty, and devotion such as a background in horticulture or a demonstration of proficiency? Sorry if I've asked too many questions and I thank you for your videos and time.
I have a question. If I want to go for 5 years to Japan to work with bonsai ... Should I enroll in a course 1 month - 3 months, and then apply for a continuation? Am I right away should apply for more years? Could you explain how to apply for the long-term work? This is important because getting the appropriate visa. Thank you and best regards.
Lol you couldn’t pay me to go apprentice in Japan.. I love growing cannabis as well as doing bonsai and skiing in the Pacific north west.. although I have always wondered about how the apprenticeship would actually work. And when you mentioned reverse engineering in which they don’t tell you what to do, but let you kind of figure it out, wow! How different.
How much water and light do you recommend for hinocchi Cypress and from 4" to 9" pots during the winter here in East Tennessee? I know all of my other Junes will be fine where they are but these have been a little more sensitive to our harsh climate. I have a pretty good back deck area ( underneath) where water can get through when it rains but they will not get a ton of light.. thank you sir ! Appreciate your knowledge especially bonsai keeping in Tennessee! Cheers from knox!
Am Rey from .Riverside California .i have a green Mountain juniper..in this summer time..it was so hot..my juniper got hurt. It turned yellow but very slowly it's getting green.what can I do. To make it health and green. Can you please help me.. appreciate it so much
hi there. i dont k ow if yoj remember me but you bought a bald cypress from me a while back. i live in Maryville Tennessee. ..just wondering how that tree is doing. thanks for the great videos
It's a little bit easier for a young adults to go into apprenticeship. How about older adults with families? Is it possible to stay for only a year and learn the basics?
The Japanese apprentice practice is borderline exploitation. On the other hand, the cost of studying in an American university can be in the six figure's. You don't have to do manual work; however, what you will be paying is equivalent of hiring a manual labor that works for the universities for four years. The cost of entry is the same.
How profitable is the bonsai business? I understand that a person must have the passion for bonsai to become a professional but what is the average bonsai professional's lifestyle like if they choose to make bonsai their source of income?
Thank you very much for the information, I am very interested in going to Japan to study bonsai, I would like to know if there is any short course, maybe 3 months!
Bjorn, do you ever meet anyone in apprenticeships who don't intend to become a bonsai professional afterwards? I am approaching the end of my undergraduate education in biology while apprenticing with Dan Robinson in Seattle. I would like to take a break before pursuing my PhD in order to experience the Japanese apprentice lifestyle if that is possible without the 5 year commitment.
Hey. I really like this movie. You said everything that I had hoped to hear. I'm learning Japanese so quickly and intensely as I can, to this year, and be ready to go to Japan. I think Japanese is essential if you plan to come for a long time. I want to go away for a few years. And if the practice takes about five years, it's great for me :) I want to go to Japan and work with bonsai. I hope that I can achieve it.
Let me go to japan to be an apprentice to learn from a teacher that is not "very verbal" at all. So I can just study and do it all myself. So what is the point of having a mr. miyagi.
Apprenticeships are the same with blacksmithing. It comes down to if master at a craft sees the kind of dedication and potential that makes a person worthy of gaining knowledge that has taken a lifetime to obtain and refine. People want to learn to make knives, but get peeved after few days of making charcoal/brushing forgescale/cutting stock/other mundane jobs that are required..... I have to admit I was guilty of the same thing when I started.
Hi there, have you ever done a video on going out and collecting a yamadori and the process from earth to finally potting into a Bonsai pot ? Kind regards lee
Кино
![J.P., NLE Choppa - Bad Bitty (Remix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rBDa6BCvw10/mqdefault.jpg)
I am so impressed! What ajourney. Nothing for snowflakes😍
I applaud your maturity and appreciate the time to speak out your mind and envision your experience, thanks.
Thank you, it is the best summary of bonsai apprenticeship, I ever heard.
I studied under Thomas Takata in Hilo Hawaii, True Master of the Black Pine, His Groupings and Placement was Clear perfection I miss Him Dearly and Think of His Trees and work ethic
perfection is not achievable... not in bonsai.
A very candid and honest assessment of life in Japan. I find their insistance in maintaining a personality bubble stifling and frustrating.
I've never heard of this realm of work before. It's extremely fascinating and I can see the passion that people put into it. I'm curious how you began at such a young age, especially with the school system here in the united states. I'm very unsure of what I want to do in my life, I'm still young and about to go to college. I got into environmental science as my major, but I am still pulled by my love for art as well. This seems to combine both. I shall watch more of your videos, and thank you for this :)
What you are achieving is incredible. Just doing an amazing job at all things Bonsai at the highest level. You are an inspiration. Meanwhile I'm playing with 10 trees/plants in my back yard. I love what you are doing. Cheers
3:45 o o o they realize its a real job loool
Great video, Bjorn, very informative and useful! Thank you!
Hi Bjorn, we really enjoyed the first class of your 3-year course. Kris & I are looking forward to our next visit in June. You really inspire us to dig deep and learn all that you have to offer. Regardless of what we thought we already knew, you really opened our eyes to fantastic, new possibilities in this art. Today, I have signed up for Bonsai U and can't wait to graduate from the current 3-year course in 2024. Thank you so much for this opportunity. You are a very humble, kind and personable man and a GREAT teacher. Your teacher should be proud of what he created :-)
God bless you my friend!
Joe Cain
Thanks Joe! It was a pleasure having you guys at the garden. I look forward to working with you again in June!
Bjorn is the man!
Interesting and entertaining video. Thank you for taking the time to make and share it.
Good morning, from Appalachia! It's an awesome video, Bjorn. I've some questions myself, some of which have already been asked below. I've been studying bonsai over a decade, learning on my own, learning with a club, going to expos and forums, but I'm also deep into my career as a professional designer. I want to up my game. The more I do, the more I want to do.
- What are your thoughts on apprenticeships in the US?
- Does Japan offer short-term intensives (months vs. years)?
- With room & board, possibly food allowance covered, what were the majority of other expenses for?
- For the full-term apprenticeship, what breaks did you have to visit home or travel?
- How has your career with bonsai, both as apprentice & professional, affected your relationships?
- Do you find life as a professional rewarding?
- More questions in my head, but I'll let them stew for a few.
Many Thanks!
Great questions would love to hear about these very real world situations
I am just getting into Bonsai as a hobby (brand new) and find your style is way different than anything you find in the states. Would it be possible to do a video of the basics? What to look for? What you like to find?
Damn 95,000 other people had an interest in a video on being a Bonsai Apprentice... surprised is an understatement.
wrong, I just saw a bonsai in the preview, so i clicked on that
Excellent advice. I had the good fortune to live in Japan for 1 year while serving in the military. Prior to deployment we were offered a course in "culture shock". The difference in our cultures is great and this course helped me assimilate into the Japanese culture. I cannot emphasize the advantages of learning the language. Knowing just rudimentary words and phrases and making an effort to expand your knowledge and vocabulary showed native Japanese people I was genuinely interested in their culture. I found many Japanese people wanting to "practice" their english and at the same time being very helpful with me learning Japanese.
I had to laugh when you said you are 6'6" tall. I myself am 6'1" tall and felt like a giant - especially in crowds and on the subway and trains and buses. You are most correct in you stating that if you are a "normal" sized westerner you are going to feel cramped, and I dare say somewhat claustrophobic until you adjust to your new surroundings. Also one very noticeable difference in cultures is the space afforded around oneself. I suppose due to the large population Japanese tend to get closer to one another while talking and generally hanging about. This can be disconcerting to a westerner who is used to "my space". Not hard to overcome but it can be an obstacle at first.
My experience in Japan was a very pleasant time in my life - one I look back on in fondness.
Additional question for you, Bjorn:
What would you be doing if you did not become a bonsai professional? What were you doing before you moved to Japan? How did you decide that bonsai as a career was right for you instead of simply being a hobby?
It's true. All of it - But if you are chasing a dream, go make it happen if you have the possibility! First video actually explaining reality of Bonsai nurserys in Japan.. Informative as always.
What a great video. Your respect for others and the Japanese culture is admirable.
Very necesary your explanation. I love bonsai and i am in a course with a Spanish Master that went to japan several times to a bonsai nursery, to práctice and learn the tecniques.
That works well for me. I know its not the same but bonsai for me is a hobby.
Greetings from Madrid
Dang, I was convinced it was; It takes 5 years and starts with, "sand the floor" or "wash the car". Wrong again. Don't tell my wife 🤣
im actually going to japan tomorrow. moving there. 24 and already have everything set up. just watching this just to get a little heads up. fortunately im fluent in both Japanese and English and well... Wish me luck :D
Hows it going there?
Being a weaboo doesn't make you fluent in Japanese.
reply op!!!
he's dead
😂😂
great video... it answer lot of questions about you... all the best from Spain
you are very well spoken
Thank you for the videos you make!
what did u do to become an apprentice? come to the nursery and ask the bonsai master?
Hi Bjiorn, helpful video!! Thanks
WOW !. Love it.
Excellent video Bjorn! Really appreciate you sharing your experience. It reminds me a lot of studying martial arts. Few students reach expert level. It takes much dedication, effort, and time. If it were easy, everyone would achieve instructor level. Keep up the great work. If I were younger, this would be my career path.
I think you were just in a bonsai documentary I was just watching. Crazy right. Thank you.
Hi Bjorn, Xia here from Pakistan. I always learned alot from your videos. keep sharing, good luck!
Really helpful thanks
Thank you for making a video regarding some of the questions surrounding a bonsai apprenticeship. I have looking for any information that I can find on this and can't seem to find much. How did you go about finding and getting in touch with your master? What sort of costs are associated with the apprenticeship i.e. tuition, materials, etc? Are there any sort of requirements other than a sharp mind, loyalty, and devotion such as a background in horticulture or a demonstration of proficiency? Sorry if I've asked too many questions and I thank you for your videos and time.
Que buen video, muy instructivo.
Helpful video! I'm into bonsai for about 3 years now. I hope to meet you here in Italy sometime! Respect
Yes you are right 100% 100
great video!
I have a question. If I want to go for 5 years to Japan to work with bonsai ... Should I enroll in a course 1 month - 3 months, and then apply for a continuation? Am I right away should apply for more years? Could you explain how to apply for the long-term work? This is important because getting the appropriate visa. Thank you and best regards.
Interesting and beautiful
What is your favorite species of tree to work on or which one do you find the most rewarding?
Bjorn is a good man
Lol you couldn’t pay me to go apprentice in Japan.. I love growing cannabis as well as doing bonsai and skiing in the Pacific north west.. although I have always wondered about how the apprenticeship would actually work. And when you mentioned reverse engineering in which they don’t tell you what to do, but let you kind of figure it out, wow! How different.
I'm pretty sure I went to High School with you bud!
Walker man give him email or private msg
very good video, thank you :)
wow mate great video, You have done well.
This is a great video.
Excellent video brother.
How much water and light do you recommend for hinocchi Cypress and from 4" to 9" pots during the winter here in East Tennessee? I know all of my other Junes will be fine where they are but these have been a little more sensitive to our harsh climate. I have a pretty good back deck area ( underneath) where water can get through when it rains but they will not get a ton of light.. thank you sir ! Appreciate your knowledge especially bonsai keeping in Tennessee! Cheers from knox!
Am Rey from .Riverside California .i have a green Mountain juniper..in this summer time..it was so hot..my juniper got hurt. It turned yellow but very slowly it's getting green.what can I do. To make it health and green. Can you please help me.. appreciate it so much
Moral of the story. Bonsai is great. Japanese culture is just totally different from America. 😂
hi there. i dont k ow if yoj remember me but you
bought a bald cypress from me a while back. i live in Maryville Tennessee. ..just wondering how that tree is doing. thanks for the great videos
espero que pronto lo puedan subtitular a español (Y)
how much does it cost to study bonsai in japan in 5 yrs excluding the food and living expenses
loved the video. do you sell any of your trees?
How does the work visa process and job application work? Do you scour the internet for an apprenticeship?
What are all the books behind you?
was it expensive to do all of this in the end???
What happened to yesterdays vlog ? you took it down!
Are there any bonsai apprenticeships available in the States and if so how long are those and where are they located?
It's a little bit easier for a young adults to go into apprenticeship. How about older adults with families? Is it possible to stay for only a year and learn the basics?
seems like i heard him say that you can learn the basics of sweeping and cleaning toilets in the first year...
I am trying to learn bonsai by myself and with a little help from youtube. thank you
great video
Is it possible to become a master without travelling to Japan?
Legally how do you get to live in Japan as an apprentice? How do you get a visa?
Can anybody buy plants in japan. What are the price differences.
Do you have to apply for the apprenticeship like you would a grant or scholarship? how does one go about that?
Hi bjorn , saludos desde Colombia, podrías subtitular tus vídeos??.
Lots of discipline
The Japanese apprentice practice is borderline exploitation. On the other hand, the cost of studying in an American university can be in the six figure's. You don't have to do manual work; however, what you will be paying is equivalent of hiring a manual labor that works for the universities for four years. The cost of entry is the same.
So do you yourself take in an apprentice at your nursery?! :)
How can one become an apprentice over at kouka en!?
I'm just going to Power threw life!
How much does a experienced bonsai grower make on average?
do you need any requirements to be an apprentice.
how much does it cost for the apprenticeship?
I wanna be your apprentice ugh
hi
Are you going to do online class
Why are you in Japan in the first place and were your parents anywhere around?
How profitable is the bonsai business? I understand that a person must have the passion for bonsai to become a professional but what is the average bonsai professional's lifestyle like if they choose to make bonsai their source of income?
Thank you very much for the information, I am very interested in going to Japan to study bonsai, I would like to know if there is any short course, maybe 3 months!
There is no short cut for those things forth doing right, worth doing well.
Bjorn, do you ever meet anyone in apprenticeships who don't intend to become a bonsai professional afterwards? I am approaching the end of my undergraduate education in biology while apprenticing with Dan Robinson in Seattle. I would like to take a break before pursuing my PhD in order to experience the Japanese apprentice lifestyle if that is possible without the 5 year commitment.
it's like surgical residency...
very good video
Music tooo loud in between
You are cute!
Like in the movie "The Karate Kid" the same way to learn slowly.
boiii you 6'6!!!!! i had no fucking idea holy cow
Is it just me or does this guy look like Bo Burman
Subtitle in spanish please!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻
I learn english...i learn bonsaï.
So in other words you don't need to do an apprenticeship at all ; )
(i mean unless you need the actual certification for some reason)
Hey. I really like this movie. You said everything that I had hoped to hear. I'm learning Japanese so quickly and intensely as I can, to this year, and be ready to go to Japan. I think Japanese is essential if you plan to come for a long time. I want to go away for a few years. And if the practice takes about five years, it's great for me :) I want to go to Japan and work with bonsai. I hope that I can achieve it.
i want to be a bonsai apprentice but i cant cuzz of serious health issues :(
Let me go to japan to be an apprentice to learn from a teacher that is not "very verbal" at all. So I can just study and do it all myself. So what is the point of having a mr. miyagi.
A ver cuando subtítulos en español....
Can i be your bonsai apprentice😁
5 years Fuck that
It sounds like Karate Kid...lol
Apprenticeships are the same with blacksmithing. It comes down to if master at a craft sees the kind of dedication and potential that makes a person worthy of gaining knowledge that has taken a lifetime to obtain and refine. People want to learn to make knives, but get peeved after few days of making charcoal/brushing forgescale/cutting stock/other mundane jobs that are required..... I have to admit I was guilty of the same thing when I started.
Hi there, have you ever done a video on going out and collecting a yamadori and the process from earth to finally potting into a Bonsai pot ? Kind regards lee