Koji Hiramatsu Demonstration
The SA Bonsai Society recently welcomed acclaimed bonsai master Koji Hiramatsu to the club. Koji previously attended the National Bonsai Convention in Adelaide in 2015, and his return visit was highly anticipated.
During his brief two-day stay, Koji led several workshops and delivered an engaging demonstration for nearly one hundred members and guests. He thoroughly outlined his approach to the initial styling of a notable, field-grown Japanese Black Pine. The audience was enthralled and amused as he began some major structural pruning using a small chainsaw and then continued to transform the tree over several hours.
Koji welcomed some assistance and was joined on stage by both the youngest club member and our President Luke Parsons. While Koji worked standing on the table to access the upper portions of the tree, the others assisted from ground level, all to the appreciation of the audience.
Throughout the demonstration, Koji welcomed questions, showcased various bonsai techniques, and introduced grafting methods, delivering substantial content in a few short hours.
The event was well attended, reflecting the club’s strong bonsai community engagement. Appreciation is extended to Treasurer Andrew Ward for coordinating Koji’s visit, and to Kelvin and Chinh for their generosity in providing the demonstration tree and hospitality during Koji’s stay.
