Theme: Bonsai Tools
The instructor will explain about the selection and usage of bonsai tools suited to the work at hand, as well as methods of caring for tools.
Participants learn by viewing the demonstrations conducted by the instructor and will have actual hands-on experience applying what is taught.

Profile:
This garden was opened in 1929 by the Murata family.
It cultivates over 300 different types of bonsai and features bonsai which create a natural feel.
The first generation owner of the garden, Kyuzo Murata, was known for developing bonsai tools, and Yukio, the 3rd generation owner, continues this legacy and conducts research further develop bonsai tools.

Instructor: Yukio Murata, third generation owner
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: Breeding Methods (sashiki, toriki, tsugiki)
The instructor will teach methods of bonsai tree breeding by explaining effective methods of processing according to plant types and subsequent management, using demonstrations and commentary.

Profile:
The garden owner Teruo Kurosu studied under Motosuke Hamano, the 1st generation owner of the Toju-en Garden and went on to open shosetsu-en garden in 1977.
He cultivates bonsai trees under the theme of the “Beauty of Space.”
The garden owner is also a potter who creates bonsai pots and is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize of the Nippon Bonsai Sakufuten Exhibition. As such there is a pottery hall within his garden.

Instructor: Teruo Kurosu, garden owner
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: Decorating with Bonsai
By demonstrating how to display in a tokonoma (alcove), participants will learn the proper mindset for decorating a tokonoma and ways to orchestrate a sense of seasonality, as the instructor also explains how to create bonsai which reflects natural scenery.

Profile:
His family’s garden was opened in Negishi, Tokyo, during the Kaei Era (1848-54) and relocated to the Bonsai Village in 1943.
Taking great care to preserve Edo (Tokyo)-style bonsai techniques, the garden seeks to create refined beauty which projects a sense of the seasons and elegance, with distinct character.
The present owner of the garden serves as the chairman of the Nippon Bonsai Sakka Association and is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize at the Nippon Bonsai Sakufuten Exhibition.

Instructor: Tomio Yamada, fourth generation garden owner
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: Caring for Shohaku Bonsai
Using old shohaku bonsai which have been cultivated within a pot for a long period, the instructor demonstrates methods to manage and cultivate shohaku bonsai and ways to care for them in accordance with the Japanese climate.
The aim of this class is for the participants to be able to use methods similar to those demonstrated so that they can cultivate bonsai suited to the climate and types of trees in their home countries.

Profile:
The family opened the garden in 1928.
Specializing in shohaku bonsai, the garden has turned out a large number of prominent bonsai artists.
It has been offering bonsai classes for over 50 years, starting in 1969.
The current owner is Hiromi Hamano, the chairman of the Japan Bonsai Class Federation with branch schools in various locations in Japan and overseas. He endeavors to spread the popularity of bonsai.

Instructor: Hiromi Hamano, second generation garden owner
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: Caring for Zoki Bonsai
The instructor demonstrates methods of caring for Zoki Bonsai according to the Japanese climate.
The aim of this class is for the participants to be able to use methods similar to those demonstrated so that they can cultivate bonsai suited to the climate and types of trees in their home countries.
Class content:
March to early July: Bud nipping, leaf cutting and leaf pruning. December to March: Bonsai wiring.

Profile:
The Takeyama family opened the garden in 1939. It became an authority on zoki Bonsai with its artists possessing exceptional expertise in caring for zoki trees and creating yose-ue (group planting) bonsai.
The current owner, Hiroshi Takeyama, has successively served as the Japan regional director of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and acted as a demonstrator at the 8th World Bonsai Convention in Saitama.

Instructor: Hiroshi Takeyama, second generation garden owner
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: Ways of Viewing and Displaying Bonsai and Suiseki –Expression and Presentation –
The instructor explains ways to imagine a landscape with suiseki and how to create displays using bonsai and suiseki.

Profile:
The family was one of the bonsai garden owners who founded the Bonsai Village in 1925. The 3rd generation owner, Saburo Kato, devoted himself to popularizing bonsai around the world as the chairman of the Nippon Bonsai Association and also transformed the family garden into a world-renown bonsai garden.
The current owner possesses deep knowledge about suiseki and serves as the Director of the Nippon Suiseki Association

Instructor: Takahiro Kato, fith generation garden owner
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
No. of participants: around 10
Tuition: 40,000 yen / per 1 group

Theme: The History of Bonsai
Students will be taught the history of bonsai, from the birth of bonsai, until it was finally recognized as an art form. This class is based on materials and data systematically collected and researched by the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

Profile:
Founded near the Bonsai Village in 2010, this is the first public art museum which specializes in bonsai. It possesses approximately 120 bonsai masterpieces in its collection and has about 70 on permanent display.
It systematically collects bonsai, suiseki, paintings and historic and folkloric materials which relate to bonsai. It then researches and disseminates bonsai culture, acting as the pivotal facility of the Bonsai Village.

Instructor: Curator at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
No. of participants: Around 10
Tuition: 30,000 yen / per 1 group