A short history of British bonsai

This fascinating insight shows Dan Barton talking about the early years of bonsai in Britain

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'd love to hear the history of UK bonsai potters!!!!! What a great interview this was!!! Thanks!

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

That would be a difficult one to collate, but we have made a video about my personal historical development in bonsai and pottery - it will be posted soon.

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Lovely interview Dan, am saving this one.

[@astounded]

Thank you for this. History is only partially narratives of past events. We are in it. This is it. It's vital to get this information saved on something more durable than human memory.

[@petertrevertonharris9428]

Loved this. I was privileged to attend the John Naka workshop in Bristol. Thank you Dan, look forward to seeing more. Much love. Peter

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks Peter - much appreciated and can you remember the times you assisted me at various Convention Demos - fun times!!

[@eggybreadplease]

Loved the video, great to see bonsai history recorded. Would love to see more, pertinent to yourself and those on the scene back in the developing years of UK bonsai. 👍

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments. We have made an interview video about my personal origins and progress in bonsai to be posted soonish. Watch this space!!!

[@snox7320]

What a wonderful insight into the early days of bonsai in the UK . Thanks both for taking time out to film this . I would love to hear more about your time with Dan Robinson as from what I have seen is a proper character.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

He certainly is that!!! Great guy for whom I have a lot of respect. We had a wonderful time demoing together in Monaco for His Serene Highness Prince Rainier

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

Dan is great and I follow the natural look of trees or "Gnarly" as Dan says, over the green helmets of traditional Japan, I enjoy the move to Shohin and mini bonsai as a man that is 66 I can actually get some created in my lifetime.

[@matthewlane5562]

So nice to hear Bushukan mentioned, from Southend on Sea. We used to have two nurseries. Now we have none

[@johnstarkey4959]

Even though it’s only 3 years since I came across you Dan, whilst searching for a bonsai pot , ( I cherish the commission you made for my Trident maple) I’ve grown very fond of you as a lovely gentle and very talented man , and in so many different fields, not just bonsai . You are a true legend of the British bonsai scene , I feel a commission coming on , best wishes Dan I will definitely collect the next pot so I can meet you .

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you John for your very kind comments and I would love to meet you too - take care!

[@raysbonsai]

Hi Dan, just watched a few of your videos, I started bonsai in 1989 and you were one of my inspirational people to look up to for many years, I'm 75 now and still doing bonsai and hope to be doing for many more years. Thanks Dan.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind remarks, much appreciated - I'm 85 and I still like growing from seeds and cuttings!!!!! Luv it!!

[@joedavies1524]

Good to hear you talking of the old days, and great to see you looking so well Dan. I recall with great fondness the time I spent with Peter Adams and yourself. Keep well. Joe

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Blimey Joe, that was a hell of a long time ago - how you doing old buddy?

[@joedavies1524]

@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745 Good thanks Dan, just crumbling with age! Strange co-incidence, my old pal Dave Sampson and I were having lunch yesterday reminiscing about the old days of Bonsai, our time with yourself, Peter A, and Harry T etc, and then a few hours later your video popped up!

[@markwilliams3168]

Dan you are fantastic! It was such a pleasure to hear your narrative on the history of British Bonsai. Wonderful.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments.

[@stonemonkey1968]

Superb as always Dansai. Great watch. All the best Andy

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks Andy - much appreciated

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

What a fantastic interview and I look forward to hearing more you get the opportunity and time. It amazes me that I was born the year you took up bonsai for the first time. My original second hand book s definitely came from 3 of the original 4. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you for your kind comments - more to come in the near future.

[@OldFlapper]

So many names, so many artists. How wonderful to hear you speaking of them! I used to study from Peter Adam's, Harry Tomlinson's, Peter Chan's, Craig Cousin's and your book. It was modest of you not to mention it. It was probably my favourite book because it spoke so clearly to me. In fact it was the first one I went looking for to purchase after losing all my books in a divorce. I often wonder where big Matsu is now? Thank you for a fascinating insight into the world of British bonsai.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you for your very kind remarks and I'm glad that my book has been of some use to you.

[@margaretsims4344]

Very interesting insight on the early days of bonsai. I have been interested in bonsai over 50 yrs. I remember it was very difficult to find any information, not like now with the wealth of information on the internet/utube. I still only have a very modest collection, my favourite are Maples.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments.

[@radar_radar]

Look forward to more of these Dan 😊 It’s great hearing about your life of Bonsai. Personally I don’t really mind what you talk about it’s just fascinating hearing the stories 😊 🙏 loads of love Row x

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

So nice of you

[@bonsaitherapy1468]

Amazing Dan Barton!

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you kindly

[@jasongannon7676]

Good to see another great video, thanks.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you kind sir!

[@luigiluigi2098]

Amazing video could have listened to you for hours. Interesting journey to where we are now today. We are so privileged these days with KZbin and the internet. We can research things so easily and see and ask questions and interact with so many skilled Bonsai practioners from not only the UK but around the world Look forward to more content.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks - there'll be more videos soon

[@andysbonsai]

What a fabulous interview. As someone new to the hobby it's fascinating to hear. Question for the future: It was mentioned that some of the Japanese would never have to work again if they could get the material from Europe. What material are they talking about specifically?

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

About the amazing Yamadori trees from the Alps etc but there's no way material of this sort can be imported into Japan

[@andysbonsai]

@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745 thanks for the response. I shall have to plan a trip from the UK one day. 👍

[@sbragaglia]

Very interesting to learn about how bonsai developed out of Japan and Asia back in the days! I’ve started this hobby almost 4 years ago and most regrettably I haven’t joined a bonsai club yet because of pandemic first and my brutal commute now (during which i can’t least enjoy videos like this). I was wondering if Dan would be so kind to share the name of a few books (or even make a series of videos) where to learn in details about the 5 main (and ultimately 24) styles and the rules to follow to create bonsais in those shapes. I think breaking down the styling process into steps would halo me being aware of what’i’m trying to do… at least in the first few instances! Thanks in advance!

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you for your kind comments - I hope at some later date to do an illustrated video talk on bonsai styles and styling on YT. Meanwhile, if you care to PM me on Face Book with your email address, I'll photograph some of my many bonsai books and send pictures to you.

[@sbragaglia]

@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745 hi Dan, many thanks for your kind reply! Unfortunately I’m not on Facebook but I have a couple of books showing sketches of styles… these sketches are in 2 dimensions so it’s difficult to figure out about back branches… my problem anyway is that I “can’t” see any of those styles when I’m looking at some training material… understanding how you’d process that information is what I’m looking forward so I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled on your page to absorb any content that you’ll kindly share in the future! Many thanks in advance!

[@pela1100]

​@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745si fuera tan amable, podría compartir dichas fotos en Instagram? Salud y gracias. 🙇‍♂️

[@pela1100]

Que gran artista es usted, mas que nada, grande en cuanto a persona destacada en el bonsai. Hace ya varios años que leí su libro, seguido de varios otros, como el de Peter Chan o los de John Naka que fueron pilares cuando comencé en éste arte. Salud por siempre, Dan Barton 🙏. 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Gracias Pela por tus amables comentarios - muy apreciado

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@rsa420]

Wow so wonderful thank you for sharing You are a master

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you for your kind comments