The Apprenticeship

“Mirai” is a Japanese word referring to the future, or more specifically, a future which has yet to be realized. In this short film, we follow bonsai professional Ryan Neil as he describes his journey to becoming one of the most recognized names in the American Bonsai movement, and in turn, creating a brand synonymous with his own work: Bonsai Mirai.
Commissioned By: Bonsai Mirai - www.livebonsaimirai.com
A Film By: Ryan J. Bush - www.ryanjbush.com/
Original Music By: Human Suits -www. humansuits.com/
Special Thanks to:
Troy Cardoza- assistant
Jan Rentenaar - Potter - www.janrentenaar.com/
Austin Heitzman - Stand Maker -www.austinheitzmanfurniture.com/

[@janegoldschlager8666]

After reading the article in The New Yorker, I've viewed a couple of Mirai films. Your trees have personalities, life, living creatures. So moving .. or stilling. Newly retired and exploring, I'm so happy to have discovered Mirai. Thank you. I wish you luck, good fortune, success.

[@JimmyDeaton-yk2sh]

I watch Ryan's videos not just for the trees but to listen to his wisdom that although he's talking about bonsai can be applied to life in general. He might be younger than me but me being a 61 year old, his outlook has helped me through some tough times

[@aaronasissoard1098]

Your vision for the future of bonsai is very heart warming

[@lorigraham2496]

I am 60 and have been trying to grow bonsai for years and understand your comments about lack of instruction available. Thanks so much for the knowledge you offer. It's recharged by passion.

[@kris983]

looking at other bonsai apprenticeships videos as well as this one, the act of being a bonsai apprentice appears to be absolutely terrifying, yet extremely rewarding.

[@spencer5082]

Wow. What an AMAZING documentary. The quality of this documentary is beautiful and artistic. I enjoyed it thoroughly. If I want a fan before, I sure as hell would be after seeing this. Great job

[@BonsaiTalk]

I have my own content about bonsai, seen hundreds of videos, read many articles.. bonsai is my life..this is one of the most interesting things I have seen so far here on the tube..instant favourite. thanks Ryan.

[@JuanLopez-tp7hj]

Hey man we watch you’re videos too I really like you’re scots pine it’s beautiful but most of all it’s cool to see bonsai has taken root in Sweden that’s amazing my grandmother and grandpa were from Sweden too so I love watching your videos to see the beautiful nature in Sweden keep making videos aloha from hawaii

[@markoffmichael]

I can totally relate to a hostile work environment "apprenticeship", wherein you do the work, and accept the abuse, just to get the knowledge and experience you can't get anywhere else. You survived and persevered, and continue to develop, much like a yamadori.

[@becomingabraxas9969]

I'm about to cry; this is so beautiful.

[@shawnmccormick7778]

Your pretty much the only Bonsai expert I've seen that curses. I like it.

[@craighunter3273]

Really nice video. You have worked very hard to achieve an honest future. Well done Salute Craig

[@FloridaWildlife]

33 years into bonsai..I never heard of Ryan until this video.

[@lorellstoneman74]

You are where you are meant to be..you never would of been any more than a carbon copy of your teacher...had you not listened to your spark within...the world evolves and it takes a change from the pattern for that to happen....thank you for your devotion, endurance, and Love of the trees...and sharing your knowlege, with others that also feel the spark within. I keep company with soul trees around me....at the mouth of the Columbia...Glad to hear you are not far away...thanks for your videos.

[@Plastic_Utopia]

Hello from Longview Washington! Thanks for the inspiration. I watch your lectures on pines every year in the spring to remind myself what to do. So far your techniques have been working very well.

[@Maxbeanbag]

Ryan great seeing you at the World Expo in Saitama. This is so inspiring not just for people like us who are obsessed by trees but for anyone trying to realize a dream. Bravo Man!!!!!

[@nealdespain3213]

Inspiration at its finest! Hands down.. watching this video has been a well spent 15 minutes! Thank you.

[@CanalSamuraiBonsai]

Great video from a great history!!! Congratulations, and thank you for share with us your wisdom!!!!

[@roncascisa9093]

What an inspiring journey!

[@jonathanrogers611]

Great video, such an amazing history

[@Asiatic83]

thanks for your awesome video! persistence and hard work are the key to any success

[@drolsisusej100]

This was inspiring and very well done , i felt it all and i admire you determination , i cant imagine how hard it was at times for you alone wondering if you made the right choice..im glad you pulled through. Great video man

[@bulebonsaibatam1758]

Amazing story.......I think you have nailed it to say the least.

[@BridgeCityBonsai2]

If I ever find a way, I’d love to be an apprentice at Mirai.

[@ch8gb16]

You are amazing!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

[@stephanepicard3801]

This a very inspiring story on self determination and reaching for your goals in life. Hope to see you in Montréal one day

[@Andrew-hl3tk]

your speech has improved alot, great video /story!

[@MrNosajwhitey]

absolute awesome story

[@wardsimmonds4058]

What an absolute amazing video!!

[@hayek218]

After all that hard work in Japan, you must be very confident now. A great video. Very touched.

[@RickD604]

Beautiful! I don’t know too much about Bonsai except that it fascinates me! I would love a bonsai at my home but it feels like there is so much to learn first. One does not simply just buy a bonsai…

[@specialk22tt]

You're the real deal bruh. Great background video. Thank you for sharing.

[@pnwgrown_360]

Hey shout out to bonsai Mirai. Love the videos, and what you guys do. I’m here in Washington state and just wish we had some bonsai masters here..

[@nejikanbonsai]

Très belle vidéo qui résume bien la formation de Ryan durant trois ans chez un des plus grand maître Japonais dont on reconnait les arbres rien qu’au premier coup d’oeil. Aujourd’hui Ryan est un professionnel très reconnu et très apprécié dans le monde du bonsaï . Merci pour cette vidéo.

[@rainbowstar4360]

Thank you so very much Ryan for this wonderful video. Your story could very well be turned into a Hollywood Movie!

[@helenchen3665]

Love watching your videos and this one is very touching. Thank you very much for sharing. Best regards, Helen Chen

[@mikcopley]

Awesome man, video quality is simply outstanding

[@NimrodTargaryen]

thanks Ryan

[@Handless_handle]

Epic video!!

[@MidwestBriar]

You made an impact on me. What future will be realized because of that I am unsure.

[@ryanf5894]

This content is absolutely stunning, Ryan! Thank you so much for creating such content and sharing it with the world! I climbed into the rabbit hole of bonsai just over a year ago and I keep going deeper into it. You inspire me!! What song did you Use at 4:19?

[@mirkonicosiavinci8972]

Sei una fonte d'ispirazione ed energia positiva grazie

[@nathanbrowne2800]

Thats dedication man .

[@arnopienaar8111]

Kry sommer hoendervleis/having goosebumps ,your words sounds like the dream i had,youre work is inspiraitional

[@bradleyroberts2412]

Fantastic video team I loved it

[@alart4]

Ryan everything what you do was awesome I really enjoyed viewed your video! Thank you so much and I wanna say you hello from Russia!:)

[@silouettesbeats9186]

This is really inspiring

[@robertbakeriii8225]

Thank you

[@ryanf5894]

Superb!

[@thepaperstaggering]

Listening to this on my way to work. I was taken to a good place. Almost forgot that I was going to work.

[@razor2ts]

Amazing powerful Film, thank you for sharing, I've no doubt that you will/are going to be an amazing successful passionate hobby Bonsai business for many many years to come :-) :-)

[@Luis77035]

Big perseverance

[@oussamachaachoui3727]

what a great and hard work you made to let your dreams comes true all respect hope that i can meet and work with you one day you are my idole good luck sir

[@michaelkampmann2167]

You're like the Son Goku of Bonsai. :D Love it!! Thank you for getting me into Bonsai!

[@abrahammoreno3741]

Man this one was more inspiring than others if i may say so

[@9svm]

I never knew thats what mirai meant. Very cool

[@jaysonterana2620]

So cool, i want to cry. Im living and working in japan now. Vacant in Saturday and sunday. I hope i could find someone to teach me this craft. Please could you give me advise how to find

[@Kgoutdoor]

How did you initially fund your garden? I wish I could go to Japan to be an apprentice but I have children and have to work 50-60 hours a week to provide. Was just curious how you made that jump to starting your nursery and buying the property and all that. Thank you

[@margaretsims4344]

What an awesome series this would have made. Shame it’s only 16 minutes.

[@greenhawk1592]

🌸

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

Deep sincere respect for what you went true and put up with under the tyranny of Mister Kimura and his little helpers! Pisses me off just hearing about it! And cats kept as rabbits in little cages?! 🤬 But it got you where you are now, in beautiful Bonsai heaven surrounded with your uniquely styled Bonsai! Good on you! You, your work and approach are a true source of inspiration to me! So keep on doing your thing so that we can enjoy and learn from it! 🙏👌👍 Cheers, Hans van Meer. KARAMOTTO BONSAI.

[@bonsaituongda]

nice

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

Oregon respect. I would love to learn from you. I understand you run a school, but do you do any apprenticeships?

[@hogita]

like video. Thank

[@Agustiana-ph6qm]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@drawingfranco7533]

then i realize.. it's not just about the bonsai .. it's like ..it's about life.. , deep

[@browniesbear]

wait 5m dollars or yen?

[@rylansreviews1499]

I have a question, that I asked another bonsai profesional here they did not answer. How do you find a nursery to do an apprenticeship with and then how do you secure an apprenticeship.

[@stefaanwalleghem2746]

really inspiring but I guess an apprenticeship is quite expensive considering it takes 6 years. Love the result though.

[@WeedSmoker69]

Ryan sounds a tad bitter about his experience in Japan, like he was disillusioned or something. Sounds like my little brother after living there for a year.

[@blahblahbleh__9046]

Just sounds like he went over thinking it would be a more friendly environment. Then proceeded to be treated like a dog for 4 years.

[@advertech]

high 50

[@whyarentumadbro]

His workshops are like an Amway seminar. Amiright? Ok moving on...

[@benparkinson8314]

From penjing to bonsai to ?? What will be the new name for these 'culturally significant trees'

[@peanut_hairplug]

Minecraft music

[@bingo90210]

As profound and inspirational as Ryan's experience was, his mentor sounded like a real ass hole. I've had mentors (although not legitimate bonsai masters) and they never treated me other than a human being. I've heard, seen and read this apprenticeship story and it's heart breaking to know that he was treated so poorly. I am happy that didn't transfer to Ryan. I could not and would not have endured that kind of treatment. Sure you're a bonsai master, but you put your pants on everyday same as every one else. There is no excuse for the absence of basic human decency.

[@aaronspain3387]

Congrats! But remember, its Bonsai, not "bone sigh". :)

[@bonsaiuk]

I would appreciate it if you were not so arrogant towards your audience. It would also help if you spoke in English and stopped making up long words that have no proper meaning. You keep extending words with "isation" and various other words that make no sense. I think the attitude of this video stinks and belittles the audience. "are we all clear about that" and "are you guys still following me" assumes that your audience has no knowledge of bonsai. this attitude is liable to put more people off taking up bonsai.

[@bonsaiuk]

v

[@Sub1117]

Funny. I don't feel that way watching this video at all!

[@bonsaiuk]

Don't get me wrong . The information is great. It's just the lack of humility. I would subscribe but I don't need to pay to be spoken down to.

[@Sub1117]

Doesn't seem like hes speaking down to anybody at all. Might be your insecurity you should be concerned about?

[@seba9587]

I just watched his explanation of scion grafting pine, I picked up that same condescension and failed use of english lol. Glad I'm not the only one who thought he sounded like a total prick lol