Bonsai artist

Bonsai expert profile

Boon Manakitivipart

In my early days, the way I learned Bonsai was to pick up information wherever I could. I attended numerous events by visiting Bonsai teachers who came to the local club for demonstrations or workshops, but each teacher had a different way of doing things.

Boon ManakitivipartI witnessed presentations that involving heavy cut-back, wiring, styling, and repotting, all at the same time. I tried to ask about those trees and the total Bonsai process, but these classes were focused on putting something together in an hour or two. I knew even then that this was the wrong way to care for Bonsai—and the wrong way to teach. As I became more passionate about Bonsai, I began to step back and think there had to be a better way. When “Bonsai Today” started its publication, I read absolutely everything and tried to apply what was translated in those articles. It worked. Even when articles conflicted with each other, they were of great help. The gallery section of “Bonsai Today” featured trees from Japan that were far superior to anything I had ever seen before. These images were so inspiring to me that I visited Japan to see the trees myself.

Quick facts

Appeared at these events: N/A

Appeared in these magazines: N/A

Awards: Ben Oki International Design Award (1995), JAL and World Bonsai Contest (1999-2004), 1st place Kinbon Japanese Five-Needle Pine Styling Contest (2000), 3rd place Dream Garden in Dallas (2002), Bonsai Professional Certificate (2010), Certré Award, 'The Finest Bonsai and Container Combination' at the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (2010).

Books: N/A

More information about Boon Manakitivipart

Soon after, I learned that Akio Kondo, a first-year Bonsai professional, had chosen to live and work in California for one year. I invited him to live in my home and set up shop in my backyard. Thus began an extensive education for me, continuing through the following seasons. Akio was a man with high standards for Bonsai, and my time with him led to my decision to return to Japan to further my Bonsai education.

Upon my return to California, with much new information to share, I established my business, Bonsai Boon. Later, in 1998, I started Bay Island Bonsai in order to teach others to recognize, create, and maintain high quality Bonsai. Bay Island Bonsai became the perfect vehicle to pass along Bonsai information in a structured and logical way, and to follow the progress of students and their trees. I am often amazed how quickly students pick up Bonsai skills when they are held to high standards and are encouraged to ask questions.

In recent years, the art of Bonsai has improved outside of Japan, as has the quality of the trees in Bonsai shows. Several Bonsai artists who have studied with me have also studied in Japan, and a few are currently studying with some of the best Bonsai masters in the world. Instead of the hit-and-miss education of the past, today’s serious Bonsai students can learn from teachers who are equipped to lead them through the entire process.

I like to think that I have had something to do with improving Bonsai standards through my Bonsai workshops, Bonsai intensives, and regular study groups across North America. My goal has not changed. I want to be able to walk into any Bonsai show in America, enjoy healthy and well-done trees, and later say, “That was a good show.” I believe this happy change has already begun.

The garden of Bonsai Boon

Some of Boon Manakitivipart's Bonsai trees

Boon Manakitivipart Japanese black pine
Pinus Thunbergii

Japanese black pine bonsai
Pinus Thunbergii

Shimpaku Juniper by Boon
Juniperus Shimpaku grafted on a Sierra Juniper trunk

Contact information

Location: Hayward, California, USA
Email: boon(at)bonsaiboon.com
Website: www.bonsaiboon.com

Master the art of Bonsai

Master the art of Bonsai
Triangle
Overview of our courses

Master the art of Bonsai

Online Bonsai Courses Learn from leading Bonsai experts at your own pace, from the comfort of your living room!

Continue exploring

Aqua Bonsai

Aqua Bonsai

Bonsai trees growing in just water?

Aqua Bonsai
Bag end

Bag end

The miniature version of Bag End

Bag end
Top 10

Top 10

The best Bonsai trees

Top 10