Bonsai Techniques I [Paperback]

John Yoshio Naka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1984 | ISBN-10: 0930422317 | ISBN-13: 978-0930422318 | Edition: 13th

The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).[3] By contrast with other plant cultivation practices, bonsai is not intended for production of food, for medicine, or for creating yard-size or park-size gardens or landscapes. Instead, bonsai practice focuses on long-term cultivation and shaping of one or more small trees growing in a container.

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: Dennis-Landman Publishers; 13th edition (June 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930422317
• ISBN-13: 978-0930422318
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bonsai bible, March 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bonsai Techniques I (Paperback)

Accept first off if you buy this book, there are very few pretty pictures. This is not a coffee table book. There are however many detailed diagrams and tons of information that any serious bonsai artist should have. Naka de-mystifies the art of bonsai and gives clear cut diagrams that are easy to understand and (even more important) easy to apply to your own trees.

If you want a picture book of bonsai this is not for you, if you grow bonsai you should buy this book. In fact if you only buy one book on bonsai, buy this one.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These used prices are nuts!, November 3, 2003

By 

Shayana Kadidal (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bonsai Techniques I (Paperback)

This book is effectively in print -- the latest printing was 2002 -- and you can still get new copies from bonsaimonk.com or bonsai-bci.com/books.htm, among others. I'm sure eventually amazon will get some copies with the next printing -- they've been coming out every two to three years. Until then, don't pay $50 for this book used. And yes, as another reviewer said, he does sign almost every copy -- so don't pay extra for the collectibles!

And yes, it is a terrific piece of work -- like being walked through a hands-on class by a tutor who demonstrates all the possible mistakes along the way by showing, not telling. Very pleasing to the eye as well, for a micro-publisher's book.--Shayana Kadidal

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for me - the neophyte, April 16, 2000

By 

Lulu Marquez,M.D. (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonsai Techniques I (Paperback)

As a medical doctor, i am a total neophyte to the world of bonsai. Just about 2 months ago, i have the strong feeling that i would like to enter the beauty and mystery of it. I started to attend basic bonsai classes; visited bonsai gardens and nurseries of the philippine bonsai masters -learn different techniques from them and finally i was able to read Bonsai TechniqueI. Practically, the questions on my mind were answered by this all-knowing book of John Naka = perfect for me, the neophyte. I was so amazed and overwhelmed with all the details that goes with it, and now i feel that i should have started bonsai much earlier. But then, i felt too, that it's not yet late for me to have my own bonsai collections, philippine set-up at that. This book will definitely be my guide and teacher! Although, Philippine trees are different from other countries and taking note that we only have 2 seasons (wet & dry), this book offers no problem to me. First,it gradually guided me to the mystery and beauty of any tree on a pot. Second, it suddenly woke up my interest to the complexity of the nature of bonsai. Every beginner should have this book. There's no doubt about it! There is so much to offer by this book - page by page- there is no stopping as to every detail one has to know! If only there is a chance for Mr. John Naka to visit the Philippines, we would be, in all honesty, be very greatful and proud if he does! To go here and bring all his books for us to buy would be very, very inspiring. With all the studies he did about trees from different countries, he should at least give a chance to analyze our native trees as to their being a potential bonsai. One thing to remember: once a bonsai faces you with all its serenity and mystery, his book could perfectly guide you to the right way of viewing it as well as understanding it. It achieves triumph within yourself and the inner peace you gain is tremendous once you make a bonsai, of course guided by John Naka's book entitled Bonsai Technique I.