A Brief History of the Toronto Bonsai Society The Toronto Bonsai Society was started in 1957 by a very small group of people who had then just discovered bonsai. This fledgling organization, through the perseverance and dedication of its founding members, quickly grew, and because many of the members were affiliated with other horticultural groups, was reasonably successful in spreading the joy of bonsai. After the humble beginnings the Society now has about 170 members drawn from the rich ethnic mosaic of Toronto and surrounding area. A non-profit organization, the Society is dedicated to the teaching and promotion of the horticultural art of bonsai and related subjects, such as suiseki. The principles of bonsai art are taught through regular monthly meetings, periodic workshops and lectures, the latter of which are provided by the Society s senior members and visiting internationally renowned Masters, such as John Y. Naka of California, the 1986 recipient of the Fifth Class Order of the Rising Sun, awarded by Emperor Hirohito to of Japan. Through its annual exhibitions and seasonal display at spring and fall horticultural events, the Society brings the results of its teachings and activities to the attention of the public at large, thereby facilitating and promoting interest in this horticultural art form. In 1985, the Society staged 4 exhibitions lasting a total of 10 days. The Society communicates with its members through the publication of a monthly newsletter generally containing about 10 pages of articles on bonsai matters. The Society maintains contact with other bonsai organizations in North America, and several of its members belong to the Nippon Bonsai Association. Members attend national and international exhibitions and conventions, and many of them have appeared as guest speakers at sister clubs and societies both in Canada and the United States. The Toronto Bonsai Society TORONTO BONSAI SOCIETY HISTORY 1963 First meeting, to get organized was held December 11, 1963 in the East Room of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC). Present: members of TBS, Mam Nishi, Wilma Swain and Mary Gallie were at that first meeting, as well as approximately 50-60 others. Lois Wilson was the guest speaker and she showed miniature bonsai, including some succulents. 1964 February 3 - the first general meeting held at the Japanese Canadian C. C. - Movie "Gardens of Japan" was shown. - also that year, Mr. Takata demonstrated bonsai. 1964 Mr. Okamura came to the October meeting at the JCCC and talked and demonstrated making a bonsai from nursery stock. Officers: President - Mamoru Nishi Vice President - Mr. Baker Secretary-treasurer - Mrs. Olga Newell Program Chairman - Mr. E. Morley Committee - Mr. Ray Avery - Mr. Nishi and Mr. Paul Hill wrote an article for the Bonsai Society of Greater New York 1965 Officers: President - Manorv Nishi 1st Vice President - Mr. E. Morley 2nd Vice President- -Wilma Swain Secretary - Mr. Tom Hill Treasurer -Ray Avery Executive Committee - Mrs. Olga Newell, Tosh Oikawa Paul Baker, Dr. H.J. Mullett, Roy Oyagi - First constitution drawn up - May show at the Civic Garden Centre. Japanese Consul Nakata was there. Harvey Oikawa gave Bonsai demonstration. - March-executive discussed their participation with the Toronto Garden Show. There was much dissatisfaction. They had paid $60 rental. 1966 Officers: President - Ray Avery lst Vice President and Secretary - Wilma Swain 2nd Vice President and Program Chairman - Dr. Jan Blumenstein Treasurer - Dr. H.J. Mullett Publicity - Barry Carnon Executive Committee - Mamoru Nishi, E. Morley, Tosh Oikawa, Dorothy Martin. - Mr. Avery went to New York and brought back slides of bonsai seen there and showed them a the January meeting. April M.D. Meagher, faculty of Forestry, gave an authoritative lecture on native trees suitable for bonsai -took part in the Spring Flower and Garden Show of the Toronto Garden Club at the O'Keefe Centre. Exhibitors: Husano, Takata, Morley, Nishi, Blumenstein. 1966 May: demonstration by Morley and Nishi of root pruning, potting and wiring Sidney Page talked about seed sowing and care of seedlings. June Show-- Chairman, M. Nishi Secretary, D . Martin Publicity--J. Blumenstein Was held, in the auditorium of the old building of the C. Garden C. October Mrs.Gallie showed slides of Japan in the autumn colours p Mr. Nishi showed slides of classic bonsai, and this was followed by a discussion of winter care of bonsai, November Tosh Kitagawa: planting bonsai on a rock, illustrating with a demonstration and samples. October 29-30 Show with the Japanese Garden Club in the mezzanine gallery. 17 members showed bonsai. Mr. Okamura demonstrated bonsai with drawings and by creating a bonsai out of nursery stock. This was held at the JCCC. Helped start the Hamilton Club 1967 Officers elected to serve January 1967 to June 1968 as the fiscal year was changed from January to January, to June to June President, Honorary --Mamoru Nishi President, --Wilma Swain Vice President --Drs. Jan Blumenstein Treasurers --Dr. H, J. Mullett Secretary --Dorothy Martin Show --Tosh Kitagawa At Large: Mary Gallie, Sidney Page, Mrs. M. Miller, Mrs. Parsons - Membership May: two field trips to Gravenhurst and beyond Lindsay, also a closer one to Endean Nurseries' fields. June 3-4 Exhibit at the Civic Garden Centre, judged by E. Morley Sidney Page had several bonsai kidnapped from the show June 4 dinner at China House, planned by Dr. Mullett, Gave Jan Blumenstein cufflinks with bonsai design, as he was leaving for Israel. Dr. Mullett was ill and could not attend 1st program of the year, Oyagi demonstrated bonsai chrysanthemums. Fees: single $4.00, Family $7.00. April 10 workshop: charge $2.00 which provided plants, soil, wire, etc. May workshop with people bringing own plants. October 26 Show at JCCC with Japanese Garden Club. Warren Cooper came from New York to promote American Bonsai Society. Spring trip to Cleveland: Mam Nishi demonstrated and Wilma Swain described what was going on June 14-15, the first Convention for BCI Ray Avery, who had moved to New York, died in 1967 June Show at the Civic Garden Centre Summer workshop at Mam Nishi's home 1968 Officers carried over from 1967 to June 1968. Elected in June 1968 were: Honorary President --Mam Nishi President --Dr, Blumenstein Vice-President --John Langridge Treasurer --Betsy Armstrong Secretary --Dorothy Martin Publicity --Bill Collins Librarian --Barbara Drucker Corresponding Secretary --Jim Campbell Hospitality --Greta Shepherd Committee at large --Dr. Mullett, Sidney Page, Mary Gallie, Mr. Bryan Fees: $4.00 single, $6.00 couple September 18 Endean Nursery field trip Hasti-notes produced in 1968 and first sold at show on October 26, 27. The design was created by Iris Kitagawa from a bonsai owned by her husband, Tosh. "copyrighted" for use of the Toronto Bonsai Society only. October 26, 27 Show at JCCC with Japanese Garden Club November Mr. Oyagi demonstrated 1969 May 17-18 Spring Show. Heavy rain and not many came Civic Garden Centre charged too much Officers elected for 1969-70: Honorary President --M, Nishi President --Betsy Armstrong Vice President --John Langridge Recording Secretary --Dorothy Martin Corresponding Secretary --Jim Campbell Treasurer --Wilma Swain Bulletin --Mae Langridge Library --Barbara Drucker Publicity --Bill Collins Hospitality --Edith Kenzie Art Assistant --Mae Langridge Committee at large --Blumenstein, Kitagawa, Bryan, Page Fees for workshops $3.50 Several workshops, some on tropicals. 1970 Offer from Mr. Barry Brooks at OISE to help in building a Japanese Garden at OISE with the help of the Japanese Garden Club and the Toronto Bonsai Society March Betsy Armstrong brought back 2 suitcases of bonsai pots from California. Air Canada broke only 6. April 11 weekend: Frank Okamura gave demonstration and conducted a workshop doing a rock planting.