Ben Oki

[rockm]

In case you old timers missed this -- Ben Oki has passed away.
https://bonsaibark.com/2018/02/26/rip-ben-oki-american-bonsai-pioneer/
http://huntingtonblogs.org/2011/03/bonsai-master/

In case you newcomers don't know who Ben was--he introduced Ryan Neil to Kimura....
https://craftsmanship.net/the-bonsai-kid/

Another monumental loss for American bonsai.

 

[GrimLore]

2008 John Naka, his teacher passed, both were great men in Bonsai. I never had the opportunity to talk to John but did several times with Ben via e-mail for advice related to very old Japanese traditions in landscape rarely discussed or seen. He was an enormous source and a kind man.

Sadly missed -

Grimmy

 

[Bonsai Nut]

My first "bring your own tree to discuss with a bonsai master" workshop was with Ben Oki, back in Chicago in 1994. He was our visiting VIP judge for the MidWest Bonsai Society show.

The great thing about being a teacher is that when you go, you leave so much behind...

 

[rockm]

A teacher he was. I got this drawing off of ebay a very long time ago from someone who had a pine they took to a workshop. Oki did a complete drawing of what the tree would look like eventually, as well as instructions on how to pinch back growth.

 

[Vance Wood]

In case you old timers missed this -- Ben Oki has passed away.
https://bonsaibark.com/2018/02/26/rip-ben-oki-american-bonsai-pioneer/
http://huntingtonblogs.org/2011/03/bonsai-master/

In case you newcomers don't know who Ben was--he introduced Ryan Neil to Kimura....
https://craftsmanship.net/the-bonsai-kid/

Another monumental loss for American bonsai.

He is one of the few masters that has been to my home. He will be missed----a lot.

 

[Vin]

For what ever reason his passing reminds of the song by George Jones "Who's Going to Fill Their Shoes". Sad time indeed.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

My treasure from Ben Oki’s workshop in 2005, posted elsewhere, but sharing here too...

 

[zelk]

Had a chance to see Ben Oki at the San Diego Bonsai Club on two occasions doing demos. Sad loss for the community.

 

[fredtruck]

I had the very good fortune of working with Ben Oki in 2005. For a whole day. We worked on an unusual red pine I had, as well as some other trees. I learned more, more quickly from him than I have from any one else. We also talked a lot about cars.

 

[JudyB]

no words needed.