Young American Bonsai Apprentice ?

[Njyamadori]

Hey fellow bonsai nuts , some may know me here and most probably don’t . I’m currently 14 years old and still don’t know what I want to do in the future . A bonsai apprentice is a possible choice if I still have the passion in 4 years and know it’s something I’m always gonna be into. If so I would love to be an apprentice at Esei - En or Miria . Esei en would be at my top of my list since I’m more into Bjorns work , his nursery is closer to NJ than Oregon , and Bjorn already sent me ito whips for a gift . Japan would be way out of my way and I wouldn’t bother to go there . I want to hear people’s ideas/recommendations/hate mail/ or anything you guys would want to tell me or ask me !

 

[caffeinated]

When I was 14 (in my forties now) I had nooo idea where my life was headed and I don't think I even cared at that point. I think it's remarkable that you already have an interest in something that could be one of many paths you take in life. You've got plenty of time to peruse options and my one recommendation would be to start writing letters to bonsai professionals you respect all over, even ones you might not necessarily want to apprentice for. Ask them about their apprenticeships and what their advice might be, or how to even apply later for an apprenticeship with them. Also, Japan, and other countries, aren't as far away as they might seem right now, especially to an 18 year old with any wanderlust and some cash saved up.

 

[Potawatomi13]

A huge question to answer is whether you would support self financially while there or be supported by them? Another is how long an apprenticeship would need to be? And yet another how able are you to completely follow teachers instructions/teaching without argument?
Another possibility is to be assisstant curator at National Bonsai/Penjing collection in DC.
And never to be forgotten how much at 18 years opposite gender can corrupt and foul up many young lives.

 

[caffeinated]

And never to be forgotten how much at 18 years opposite gender can corrupt and foul up many young lives.

Wow. Your experience with the opposite gender, I'm going to go out on a limb and say, is not normal. Most humans pass through adolescence without being corrupted by the opposite sex, which is even just a weird sentence to have to type, just fine.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Both Bill Valavanis and Ryan Neil knew what they wanted at this age, so I don't see anything wrong with it. Start with taking classes, not just with whoever you want to apprentice with. It will likely be easier to apprentice with Bjorn.

 

[leatherback]

Hey fellow bonsai nuts , some may know me here and most probably don’t . I’m currently 14 years old and still don’t know what I want to do in the future . A bonsai apprentice is a possible choice if I still have the passion in 4 years and know it’s something I’m always gonna be into. If so I would love to be an apprentice at Esei - En or Miria . Esei en would be at my top of my list since I’m more into Bjorns work , his nursery is closer to NJ than Oregon , and Bjorn already sent me ito whips for a gift . Japan would be way out of my way and I wouldn’t bother to go there . I want to hear people’s ideas/recommendations/hate mail/ or anything you guys would want to tell me or ask me !

Why wait 4 years.

Get good now.
Contact Bjorn, ask whether he has a spot for you over summerbreak.
Maybe for small money. Or you get your parents to pay for you rstay, and you work for free.

Build trust. Show them you are really into it.

If you look at the stories of some of these guys they spend years begging to be accepted as an apprentice in Japan. SHowing long term commitment is done over.. time..

 

[Paradox]

You've got plenty of time to figure it out but its good that you're thinking about it

My recommendation would be to get a strong education in horticultural science. I am guessing that you are just starting high school this year? Do your best to get the most out of your high school classes because they will be your ticket to pursuing the higher education you need to follow any path you choose.

I am not sure about Bjorn's background before he went to Japan but I know Ryan Neil went to college and graduated with a degree in horticulture or botany before he apprenticed in Japan. And yes it took him many tries before Kamura accepted him as an apprentice.

However both he and Bjorn paved the way for Americans to be accepted into Japanese apprenticeships

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If you go for an apprenticeship, it's better to pick a field that reliably can help you provide for yourself in the future. Bonsai isn't that.

While I think it's cool to see younger people do this, I too went through this phase: I wanted to be a tattoo artist at age 16-17. So I practiced, practiced, and wanted to do an apprenticeship to get better.
But I thought about it for a long time and figured that the tattooing skills I had were timeless, I could stop and pick it up again later; designs change but the concept of design doesn't. My developing brain and motivation to work hard in school weren't as timeless, once that motivation was gone, it'd be over. What if I ever broke bones in my hand or shoulder and wouldn't be able to do my job?! And I didn't want to be that 30 year old dude in a college/uni classroom full of 18 year olds.
15 years later, I'm glad I made the choice of finishing school first.
An apprenticeship is way easier if you have five or six back up possibilities. At a young age, it's rather difficult to have those backups other than your parents.

The choice is yours to make of course. But I've seen situations like these turn out terribly for a buddy of mine. Almost happened to me too.

 

[just.wing.it]

opposite gender can corrupt and foul up many young lives.

Yeah.....imagine nowadays when the opposite gender person is also YOU!

Lol!

We're doomed.

 

[sorce]

I was just telling my 9 year old and his friend to never let a girl ever come between them.

Must be the definition of corruption that needs addressing.

This society doesn't allow for a boy to become man enough to support his family well before his lower brain corrupts his higher brain.

Of course, they don't mind this because the poor and unstable are easier to control.

Your greatest burden is in Japan.

So Go, make the best of yourself.

Sorce

 

[Njyamadori]

Why wait 4 years.

Get good now.
Contact Bjorn, ask whether he has a spot for you over summerbreak.
Maybe for small money. Or you get your parents to pay for you rstay, and you work for free.

Build trust. Show them you are really into it.

If you look at the stories of some of these guys they spend years begging to be accepted as an apprentice in Japan. SHowing long term commitment is done over.. time..

Actually the summertime thing is a good idea to see if I’m actually capable of seeing if bonsai is truly for me and build connections with Bjorn. Also something to get the “weed picking” work done even though I enjoy pulling weeds

 

[Njyamadori]

A huge question to answer is whether you would support self financially while there or be supported by them? Another is how long an apprenticeship would need to be? And yet another how able are you to completely follow teachers instructions/teaching without argument?
Another possibility is to be assisstant curator at National Bonsai/Penjing collection in DC.
And never to be forgotten how much at 18 years opposite gender can corrupt and foul up many young lives.

Very good questions but I am looking for them to just pay for housing/apartment. Maybe a couple hundred a month for food but not necessary. How long would it be is a good question since this isn’t Japan . If I went full time I’m not looking for anything longer than 5 years but 6 is my max . I’m a good and easy learner and I don’t really start arguments.

 

[rockm]

I don't know where you are in Jersey, but there are a few very very good bonsai professionals closer than Tennessee or the West Coast that might offer an alternative. For instance, Chase Rosade has his bonsai nursery in New Hope, Pa. (near Philly) offers classes. Chase has been a bonsai professional for longer than Bjorn and Ryan have been alive and trail-blazed the path to American bonsai professional long before them. Bill Valavanis in Rochester, N.Y. is another American bonsai legend with a long career in the art. Might be worth a visit to see both places have a look around at their professional bonsai nurseries and get acquainted with some of their students.

Bonsai Trees, Outdoor Bonsai | New Hope, PA, Rosade Bonsai

Learn about the fascinating art of bonsai trees at Rosade Bonsai in New Hope, Pennsylvania. We offer bonsai classes, maintenance, workshops, and boarding. Pure excellence in bonsai for over 50 years.

www.rosadebonsai.com

Everything bonsai, trees, supplies, care, instruction, pictures, events, magazine & free information

Your respected and trusted source- bonsai trees, supplies, events, and free information. Internation

www.internationalbonsai.com

Both of these artists, although not as "fashionable" or flashy as Ryan or Bjorn, are resources that shouldn't be overlooked and you're in their backyard.

As mentioned the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum here in D.C. offers an apprenticeship program.. It is supported by the National Bonsai Foundation. I don't know what the competition is like to get into the program, but it's worth looking in to. I'd do some research into the backgrounds of past apprentices to see what experiences they have.

National Bonsai Apprenticeship — National Bonsai Foundation

www.bonsai-nbf.org

https://usna.usda.gov/about/jobs-and-internships/bonsai-internship/

Clubs are also a great way to get a deeper connection to the bonsai business (the business end of being a professional bonsai artist is arguably more important than learning bonsai techniques).

If you want to head down this kind of career path, a foundation in horticultural sciences will go a very long way. I'd keep that in mind as you make your way through high school and college. A degree in horticultural sciences can offer many paths that can include bonsai and other career opportunties that you probably haven't thought of, but might find equally rewarding..

 

[Njyamadori]

I don't know where you are in Jersey, but there are a few very very good bonsai professionals closer than Tennessee or the West Coast that might offer an alternative. For instance, Chase Rosade has his bonsai nursery in New Hope, Pa. (near Philly) offers classes. Chase has been a bonsai professional for longer than Bjorn and Ryan have been alive and trail-blazed the path to American bonsai professional long before them. Bill Valavanis in Rochester, N.Y. is another American bonsai legend with a long career in the art. Might be worth a visit to see both places have a look around at their professional bonsai nurseries and get acquainted with some of their students.

Bonsai Trees, Outdoor Bonsai | New Hope, PA, Rosade Bonsai

Learn about the fascinating art of bonsai trees at Rosade Bonsai in New Hope, Pennsylvania. We offer bonsai classes, maintenance, workshops, and boarding. Pure excellence in bonsai for over 50 years.

www.rosadebonsai.com

Everything bonsai, trees, supplies, care, instruction, pictures, events, magazine & free information

Your respected and trusted source- bonsai trees, supplies, events, and free information. Internation

www.internationalbonsai.com

Both of these artists, although not as "fashionable" or flashy as Ryan or Bjorn, are resources that shouldn't be overlooked and you're in their backyard.

As mentioned the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum here in D.C. offers an apprenticeship program.. It is supported by the National Bonsai Foundation. I don't know what the competition is like to get into the program, but it's worth looking in to. I'd do some research into the backgrounds of past apprentices to see what experiences they have.

National Bonsai Apprenticeship — National Bonsai Foundation

www.bonsai-nbf.org

https://usna.usda.gov/about/jobs-and-internships/bonsai-internship/

Clubs are also a great way to get a deeper connection to the bonsai business (the business end of being a professional bonsai artist is arguably more important than learning bonsai techniques).

If you want to head down this kind of career path, a foundation in horticultural sciences will go a very long way. I'd keep that in mind as you make your way through high school and college. A degree in horticultural sciences can offer many paths that can include bonsai and other career opportunties that you probably haven't thought of, but might find equally rewarding..

I’m in ocean county so New Hope is like a 2 hour drive. Cool town and actually never been at that nursery. There is basically 0 clubs near me but I know 1 guy near me that is willing to show me bonsai . I don’t know what my main goal even is .

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

What's your goal with it?
Do you want to become a bonsai master and start a bonsai business after you finished it?

At the moment you probably have some romatic ideas and feelings about it but you need to be realistic about it.

 

[Lutonian]

What's your goal with it?
Do you want to become a bonsai master and start a bonsai business after you finished it?

At the moment you probably have some romatic ideas and feelings about it but you need to be realistic about it.

I wonder how many times Bjorn, Ryan, Warren and others were told the same thing?

 

[rockm]

I’m in ocean county so New Hope is like a 2 hour drive. Cool town and actually never been at that nursery. There is basically 0 clubs near me but I know 1 guy near me that is willing to show me bonsai . I don’t know what my main goal even is .

So two hours isn't that far, considering that Bjorn is two days away and Ryan is three. Many folks in the U.S. would be happy with that distance to Rosade's. Don't know if you have transporation, but that's worth a Saturday drive.

There is a club in Middletown
www.deepcutbonsaiclub.org

Worth a call to them to get a better picture of what's around...FWIW, the Deep Cut Gardens in Monmouth County is having a "bonsai day" on Sept. 12. It''s unclear from the website if this is 2021, but again, worth a call

See "events" section

Monmouth County Park System Parks Deep Cut Gardens

www.monmouthcountyparks.com

There are also other clubs in the state:

Bonsai Clubs – USA

Bonsai Clubs – USA Click on each state on the map to view the directory of bonsai clubs for that state, or just scroll down the page.This information is provided as a courtesy to the bonsai c…

www.absbonsai.org

 

[namnhi]

Actually the summertime thing is a good idea to see if I’m actually capable of seeing if bonsai is truly for me and build connections with Bjorn. Also something to get the “weed picking” work done even though I enjoy pulling weeds

If you want, you can come by my house... i have plenty of weeds for you to enjoy. Not the other kind of weeds... the one that grow in pots.
I do think a summer help would open you eyes to see if bonsai professional is in your future.

 

[penumbra]

Don't let anyone squash your dreams no matter how reasonable their arguments might be.
Most people here wish they had done what you are contemplating my young friend.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

I like the idea suggested here of a summertime setup to get your feet wet. I think it's awesome that you feel so solidly about sticking with bonsai. I also am more risk-averse than most, and would agree that ensuring you obtain an education that gives you options, along with pursuing your bonsai interest in the meantime, is the best approach.

Interests change over time, especially when you're younger. Moderation until you get done with school/trades/university, whatever that looks like, and if you arrive at your early twenties and still want to do bonsai full time, go do your intensive apprenticeship at that time and dive in 100%.