John Naka, 1914 - 2004 by Norman Haddrick I attended a California Bonsai Society Convention, held in Pasadena, California, in 1972, and I travelled to the Convention, my first, with Edith Kenzie, a then senior TBS member, good friend and mentor, during my early bonsai studies. As soon as we had checked into the hotel, Edith and I met again to go view the much-anticipated bonsai exhibit, to be our first, real exposure to "professional quality" bonsai. Needless to say, it was a most outstanding presentation of bonsai, in every way. Edith and I were breathless, as we marvelled at each specimen on display. Particularly, a famous Yose-uye, seven-tree forest of Foemina juniper held our attention. John Yoshio Naka had created this group in 1964, with a main tree 4 feet tall, and six other trees composed in a 3 foot long, shallow, oval tray. Much more impressive than it appeared in magazine photos, the planting named 'Goshin', protector of the spirit, had a visual impact causing tears of emotion to stream down Edith's face. At that very moment, John Naka came and stood between us. He explained the importance of the trunk positions and spacing, and that space between the branches of each tree was very important, "so the birds and butterflies could pass between them." This was one of John's most well known expressions, which we were to hear many more times over the years. In 1973, John was to increase this forest grouping to 11 trees in the same tray. "Goshin" can still be seen, now at the US National Arboretum as part of the permanent North American Bonsai Exhibit, in Washington, DC. It was at the convention that I discussed with John the possibility of him coming to Toronto to conduct bonsai lectures, demos and workshops for our members. As a result, John spent several days with us in 1975, completing a full program of bonsai events, which raised our creative, artistic levels, and the quality of our future bonsai. John made 2 subsequent visits to TBS, the last one, as guest of honour at the memorable 1997 IBC convention in Toronto.