Nashville, TN has become one of the hot locations for bonsai with the opening of Eisei-en bonsai, to round out several bonsai nurseries already here (Tupelo Bonsai, Turnbull Creek Bonsai, and others).
(Bio is from Bjorn's web site ( http://www.bjornbjorholm.com/ ) so I don't mess it up!)
"Bjorn L Bjorholm, owner of Eisei-en, is a bonsai artist
and instructor who spent six years as an apprentice under Master Keiichi
Fujikawa at Kouka-en bonsai nursery in Osaka, Japan before receiving
certification as a bonsai professional by the Nippon Bonsai Association. His
tenure as an apprentice at Kouka-en was followed by three years as artist-in-residence
at the same location, making him the first and only foreign-born working bonsai
professional in Japan. During his time in Japan, Bjorn's works were featured in
the Kokufu-ten, Sakufu-ten, and Taikan-ten exhibitions, among many others.
In addition to his work in Japan, Bjorn travels the
world, from Europe to Asia to Latin America, teaching bonsai art and providing
services to private clients and international organizations. He operates
intensive bonsai schools with affiliate nurseries in Spain and the United
States, while also working with international bonsai organizations.
In 2017, Bjorn and his wife Nanxi Chen relocated back to
the US, and they are currently working to establish their bonsai nursery and
school in Nashville, TN, with plans to officially open in late 2018." (Bjorn Bjorholm)
September 1st and 2nd was the grand opening... and we were there!
Just through these gates are bonsai like you've never (probably) seen before.
"The name, Eisei-en, is as multifaceted as the garden
itself. The term eisei is a combination of two Japanese Kanji characters. The
first, ei (永,
pronounced ay), is defined as forever, eternal, ever-lasting, and perpetual.
The second, sei (青, pronounced say), means young, green, blue, and
adolescence.
The combined word eisei could, therefore, be interpreted
as forever green, eternally young, or ever-lasting youth. Beneath these more
direct translations, though, lie several deeper meanings that speak to the core
values and principles expressed in the garden - namely, always maintaining a
youthful, energetic approach to learning; focusing on the future while never
relinquishing the truly open, adolescent mind; and forever striving to provide
for, and transmit knowledge to, the next generation.
The final character, en (園), means garden or nursery. Thus the
name Eisei-en is brought to life, representing the garden's dedication to the
future of the American, and the global, bonsai community.
Eisei-en is open by appointment only, Thursday thru
Sunday, 9am-5pm. The garden is closed Monday thru Wednesday, and from
mid-December to mid-February each year." (Bjorn Bjorholm)
Blond hair, blue eyes, and tall is not what one thinks of for a bonsai master. Bjorn has been called "the Brad Pitt of bonsai". Yeah, he is kind of cute... and young enough to be my son!
This was my favorite tree of the large ones. I was surprised at how many large bonsai there were. Remember... "bonsai" means "Tree In Pot". The pot can be really big!
Below are shots of some but not all of the trees at Eisei-en.
Amazing aren't they?
Bjorn also has a selection of Japanese pots and some viewing stones for sale.
It is going to be fun having him in the area. I'm really looking forward in a year or so to being able to take a few of his workshops!
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