This radically eccentric California juniper was donated to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum by Harry Hirao (Mr. California Juniper). It is only a small part of a wonderful collection of world class bonsai that you’ll find at the Museum. A visit every bonsai enthusiast (especially those of us in north America) would do well to consider.

Did Harry play a practical joke?
The taper is all wrong and the trunk forms a crazy upside down U shape. Did Harry play a practical joke on the National Museum?

Or, I am pulling your leg?

It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in (or near) southern California. For more information visit the Golden State Bonsai Federation website.

Pioneer state
California, perhaps more than anywhere else outside of Asia (no offense meant to anyone or anywhere else) has been out front in developing the art of bonsai. No doubt a number of factors are responsible, not the least of which is a strong Japanese American community and a growing season that lasts almost forever, with enough sun and heat in one year to last us a lifetime here in Vermont.

The GSBF
Another factor that goes hand in hand with the ones mentioned above is the Golden State Bonsai Federation. It’s been around for a long time (fill us in if you know how long) and does a great job tying together California’s large robust bonsai community.

Part of GSBF’s Northern California collection. They also have one in Southern California.

Golden Statements and Harry Hirao
GSBF produces an excellent magazine (Golden Statements), a full calendar of bonsai events, two permanent bonsai collections, and a website worth visiting. And perhaps best of all; GSBF often features Mr. California Juniper (aka Harry Hirao). Really, it doesn’t get much better.

Here’s another shot of the man and the tree. Both are very impressive in their own way, though neither provided much mystery, at least for those of you who responded. BTW: here’s where we borrowed this photo and the photo that appears in contest #4.

The winner…
… is John Callaway. John wasn’t the only one to get it right, but he was the first one to get it right.

The man…
…is Mr. California Juniper, Harry Hirao.

The tree…
…is (appropriately) a California juniper. The botanical name is Juniperus californica.

And the source…
…is Kofu Review; Kofu Bonsai Kai. Check it out, it’s a great site.

Here’s another impressive Juniperus californica by Mr. California Juniper. It’s from our Juniper book.