Click to enlarge Gafu-Ten Prizewinner  Lisa Tajima with her POPBONSAI Display

Lisa Tajima's unique bonsai display won the Encouragement Award at the 27th Gafu-ten Exhibition of Bonsai Art.

Lisa Tajima: Attending Gafu-ten was a serious challenge for an "alien" like myself.    I talked about this challenge to my bonsai master and Joined All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association. As you know, Gafu-ten is very traditional bonsai exhibition and has long history. Therefore, I really wanted to display my POPBONSAI there and see how people would react to it. I have been attending Gafu-ten three times now, and this display is my second.

The display is titled "Midnight Picnic." The pot and tree on the right is moon and three little POPBONSAIs are playing under the moon. In my imagination this place is on the very calm sea and the tree and pot on the left is small island. The three little POPBONSAIs might be surfing, but they like playing football, too so I don't know which they are doing now. I was very happy to win the "Encouragement Award!"

bT: For example, it's a little hard to imagine you among these serious looking gentlemen at the Gafuten opening ceremony...

LT: Well, actually, I really enjoy being the atmosphere like this. Because it is very unusual for me, and and a good chance to know other world. I also enjoy talking with people. Everybody there is interested in bonsai so it is very easy to chat.

A lot of gentlemen in the 'traditional' bonsai world are about my father's age, so maybe I am like their daughter?  I have some bonsai brothers, too. They are around my age and interested in new things. Because some of them are working in the traditional bonsai world, it might be difficult for them to fully express themselves, but they keep trying. We talk a lot and have become good friends. I really thank them. What I am today wouldn't have been possible without their support.

I don't know why in the beginning no one said to me, "Stop it!"  Maybe because I am not a member of traditional bonsai-related family, so that what I am didn't annoy anybody, I guess. I made efforts at my own pace and level. I attended other traditional exhibitions like Gafu-ten, too. It turns out that even in the traditional bonsai world there was room for some Punk Rock fun, too! Not all parents hate Punk Rock, I thought. Their minds could be very funky although it is hard to realize it from the way they dress. They always give me advice.  

Continued...