Even to those of us who knew him only slightly, John Naka's death is deeply saddening. Yet we must be thankful for his long and productive life, his sense of humor and generous nature, and his unmatched contribution to American Bonsai.

His death and that of Yuji Yoshimura bring to a close an era of Bonsai in this country in which the dominant masters were Japanese. It now is up to American masters to fill this gap. In doing so, they probably will change the art subtly, which some wil
l applaud and others deplore; but the art of bonsai, like the trees themselves, is constantly developing and changing. His legacy will be enduring.

Edmund L. Castillo
Western Loudoun Co., VA

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