by Lee Hatcher

With a large number of attractions, International flavor, and a great mass transit system, Washington D.C. was a great choice for the 2005 World Bonsai Convention. Friday night as we registered, I was awestruck by the work of Bonsai Master John Yoshio Naka as his masterpiece Goshin greeted all. Goshin "Protector of the Spirit" set the theme and was central to this great experience. Goshin (a forest of Juniper "Foemina") now resides at the National Bonsai and Penjing museum at the National Arboretum. The convention started off with a tribute for John Naka who passed May 19 2004.

One of my favorite things Bonsai Conventions is the vendor's area. Not only can you find great deals on trees, pots, bonsai, books, suiseki tools, but it is a great place to just enjoy works of art. Prices on plants ranged from $2 for starter stock, up to $8000 for huge black pines. I found a great deal on a pot for my Fukien tea. I also added two books to my library: "Bonsai School" By Craig Coussins and Bonsai Today Master Series "Pine". The "Pine" book was just released and teaches growing and styling Japanese Black and White pines and features "Masahiko Kimura" and "Takashita Yosiaki".

The 5th World Bonsai Convention was a great place to advance my skills in the art of Bonsai. I chose to participate in one of the many work shops offered. Steve Tolley of the UK instructed us in the styling of a yew. Steve has been in bonsai for many years and operates a bonsai school and had many great tips for his workshop. Steve's main emphasis was to make us focus and to make thoughtful choices about the direction our tree should go. Here is a link to Steve's at the BCI convention which is held in conjunction with the World Bonsai Convention. To compete, one must have been in bonsai less than 10 years and submit a photo portfolio of one's work. The material for this years contest looked great, as all were given a Ponderosa Pine to style.

There were a large number of demos going on all the time, and I dropped in when three Artists were working at the same time. Louis Ricardo Garcia, Mary Madison and Charles Ceronio styled trees and took questions from the audience. Mary Madison styled one of her collected buttonwoods, once again displaying why she is called 'Queen of the Buttonwoods'. Charles Ceronio, who is from South Africa, styled a Brazilian Rain Tree Forest. Luis Ricardo Garcia of Venezuela styled a bonsai while a sketch artist drew a sketch of the styled tree and they looked just alike.

What would a Bonsai and Suiseki Convention be without the exhibits?

In closing, the 5th World Bonsai Convention was a great event held at wonderful location. The hotel and facilities were the best, and Washington D.C. has a lot to offer. This event was held over Memorial Day, so I closed my trip with a visit to the Wall of the Vietnam Memorial and the new WWII Memorial to remember my family and friends lost in war.