Shohin School Jan.31-Feb 1st 2026, Alameda CA

[Sansokuu]

Link to registration: https://store.bonsaitonight.com/products/winter-shohin-school-2026

(Breakdown of each day’s schedule and detailed info is at the bottom of this post)

The first two shohin schools were held in Portland Oregon - the upcoming Shohin School will be in the bay area! The closest airport is Oakland International. Registration is limited to 50, so get on it! Nao and I can’t attend in person but we will be sending shohin pots down (check out either Jonas or Bonsaify’s tables for our pottery). I know of a couple great shohin enthusiasts in Oregon who will travel down for this school, you’ll be in great company!

More info straight from Jonas: https://bonsaitonight.com/2025/12/05/2026-shohin-school-registration-open/


January 31 - February 1, 2026
Harrison Recreation Center, Lincoln Park
1450 High St, Alameda, CA 94501

Headliner Daisaku Nomoto, along with Andrew Robson and Jonas Dupuich, will lead a shohin-focused weekend covering the basics of shohin bonsai.

Activities include:

• Shohin display review & Advanced display topics
• Shohin containers
• Shohin critiques and demos
• Workshops
• Time for working on your trees

What you bring:

• Shohin bonsai for display exercise (up to 6)
• Shohin bonsai to work on (optional)
• Bonsai Tools and wire (if you plan to work on your trees)

Hours

• 10-5 Saturday and Sunday

Registration is required for entry - the event is not open to the public. Registrants may participate in all lectures and workshops and shop with our vendors.

Meals are not included. We encourage you to bring food, use delivery services, or visit a nearby restaurant. Attendance limited to 50 participants.

For detailed information and additional photos of workshop trees visit theShohin School information page.

 

[Sansokuu]

Who’s going?!

 

[Ruddigger]

This is one of the events I’ve been wanting to go to. Talking with @NaoTK at various shows and realizing all the shohin minutiae he’s learned from Shohin school really got me interested. But it’s way too close to Kokufu for me to be making an additional trip.

 

[Sansokuu]

This is one of the events I’ve been wanting to go to. Talking with @NaoTK at various shows and realizing all the shohin minutiae he’s learned from Shohin school really got me interested. But it’s way too close to Kokufu for me to be making an additional trip.

Just the Saturday Sunday! I’ll pay for your plane trip

 

[MrBonsai19]

I will be there

@Sansokuu let me know if you will be vending as I need to start the second mortgage application process asap

 

[Sansokuu]

I will be there

@Sansokuu let me know if you will be vending as I need to start the second mortgage application process asap

I’m going to make it happen or bust! A local bonsai artist might be able to drive pottery down. Booked hotel so far, just need to book flights and hear back on the vending layout and registration info.

 

[Sansokuu]

Update:

I will be vending Nao and my pots at shohin school, as well as a stand and jitas for Austin Heitzmann!

Jonas has mentioned to me they only have 9 spots left so if you were thinking of signing up best to do so sooner than later

 

[jtork]

I think it is fantastic to have these well led Shohin workshops popping up in California and I am really excited to see this happening. So how do you go about transporting personal trees from say Washington into California for these workshops. I thought California had strict quarantine regulations on entering plants and trees.

Apologize posted in an old thread a minute ago. First time posting.

 

[Sansokuu]

I think it is fantastic to have these well led Shohin workshops popping up in California and I am really excited to see this happening. So how do you go about transporting personal trees from say Washington into California for these workshops. I thought California had strict quarantine regulations on entering plants and trees.

Apologize posted in an old thread a minute ago. First time posting.

As long as it isnt a prohibited tree species, we know many bonsai folks exhibiting and simply transporting that have come into CA with their trees. I just personally wouldn’t point it out at the border or anything. Are you driving or flying? TSA really doesnt care about transporting plant material I have flown with every kind of fruit produce under the sun and plants ranging from tomatoes to bonsai to orchids etc.

 

[Sansokuu]

I think it is fantastic to have these well led Shohin workshops popping up in California and I am really excited to see this happening. So how do you go about transporting personal trees from say Washington into California for these workshops. I thought California had strict quarantine regulations on entering plants and trees.

Apologize posted in an old thread a minute ago. First time posting.

Also, our transporter for pottery this year might be able to transport shohin trees for a small fee from and to thr PNW if you prefer to fly in and out.

 

[jtork]

As long as it isnt a prohibited tree species, we know many bonsai folks exhibiting and simply transporting that have come into CA with their trees. I just personally wouldn’t point it out at the border or anything. Are you driving or flying? TSA really doesnt care about transporting plant material I have flown with every kind of fruit produce under the sun and plants ranging from tomatoes to bonsai to orchids etc.

As long as it isnt a prohibited tree species, we know many bonsai folks exhibiting and simply transporting that have come into CA with their trees. I just personally wouldn’t point it out at the border or anything. Are you driving or flying? TSA really doesnt care about transporting plant material I have flown with every kind of fruit produce under the sun and plants ranging from tomatoes to bonsai to orchids etc.

Actually, I was planning for the future and everyone here is so knowledgeable so knew it would be a good place to ask. Was lucky enough to attend two Jonas workshops recently at Bonsai Northwest Puyallup and he had spoken of possible workshops he was planning to setup in CA in the future. Also see Eric S. also instructs workshops. Before signing up for any was concerned about how one would be able to bring in their trees into CA. Nice to hear TSA would be an excellent option. Would not be driving thorough a Brookings Oregon to Cresent City border check. That would be an 8 hour drive just to get to the inspection border but was still wondering just incase decided to visit a relative along the way. Thank you for answering. To everyone going, you are so lucky!

 

[jtork]

Also, our transporter for pottery this year might be able to transport shohin trees for a small fee from and to thr PNW if you prefer to fly in and out.

Respectfully, thank you, a small fee for this kind of courtesy would be a fantastic option to consider for a future event.

 

[Sansokuu]

Respectfully, thank you, a small fee for this kind of courtesy would be a fantastic option to consider for a future event.

@Ruddigger might have some thoughts on transporting trees into CA.

 

[Ruddigger]

The best thing to do is get someone to give you a Phyto Certificate for the trees you are transporting into California. The second best thing is to go by the checkpoint really early in the morning, when it’s not usually manned.

 

[jtork]

The best thing to do is get someone to give you a Phyto Certificate for the trees you are transporting into California. The second best thing is to go by the checkpoint really early in the morning, when it’s not usually manned.

Very good. Thank you.

 

[River's Edge]

Link to registration: https://store.bonsaitonight.com/products/winter-shohin-school-2026

(Breakdown of each day’s schedule and detailed info is at the bottom of this post)

The first two shohin schools were held in Portland Oregon - the upcoming Shohin School will be in the bay area! The closest airport is Oakland International. Registration is limited to 50, so get on it! Nao and I can’t attend in person but we will be sending shohin pots down (check out either Jonas or Bonsaify’s tables for our pottery). I know of a couple great shohin enthusiasts in Oregon who will travel down for this school, you’ll be in great company!

More info straight from Jonas: https://bonsaitonight.com/2025/12/05/2026-shohin-school-registration-open/


January 31 - February 1, 2026
Harrison Recreation Center, Lincoln Park
1450 High St, Alameda, CA 94501

Headliner Daisaku Nomoto, along with Andrew Robson and Jonas Dupuich, will lead a shohin-focused weekend covering the basics of shohin bonsai.

Activities include:

• Shohin display review & Advanced display topics
• Shohin containers
• Shohin critiques and demos
• Workshops
• Time for working on your trees

What you bring:

• Shohin bonsai for display exercise (up to 6)
• Shohin bonsai to work on (optional)
• Bonsai Tools and wire (if you plan to work on your trees)

Hours

• 10-5 Saturday and Sunday

Registration is required for entry - the event is not open to the public. Registrants may participate in all lectures and workshops and shop with our vendors.

Meals are not included. We encourage you to bring food, use delivery services, or visit a nearby restaurant. Attendance limited to 50 participants.

For detailed information and additional photos of workshop trees visit theShohin School information page.

I attended and really enjoyed the first event in Portland. Having the three instructors work so well together was very enjoyable, the vendor area was well set up with great representation. Highly recommend the experience for those interested.

 

[Sansokuu]

Some of Nao’s shohin pots came out of the kiln today and there are some exceptionally lovely ones that I’ll be bringing down.