San Diego Bonsai Club
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‘Lyn Stevenson

I have had the fortune to study with several renowned bonsai masters and sensei including

-Toshio Kawamoto, who is the creator of Saikei. I started studying with him while we were living in Tokyo, Japan. 
-Ben Suzuki, m
y first teacher, in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, California,  1973-1985.  He also taught classes at the South Coast Bonsai Society.
-
John Yoshi Naka, Los Angeles, California. He was my bonsai sensei until his death. He is considered the #1 bonsaiist in the USA, highly honored and recognized in Washington,  D,C., Japan, and world wide.  I traveled back to Japan with him in the 80’s also.
-Warren Hill at the Descanso Botanical Garden.  Warren later went to Washington D,C, as the Curator of the Bonsai Arboretum. He was a guest at  SDBC’s Meeting and the Pavillion.
- Masaru Moriguchi, Los Angeles
- Frank Goya, Los Angeles. He is well known for his masterpieces of Saikei.
-Ben Oki, Los Angeles.  He then became the Curator at the Japanese Garden and Bonsai Curator at the Huntington Library and Botanic Garden in San Marino, California
-Harry Hirao, Huntington Beach, California. He was affectionately known as “Mr. California Juniper.  He led many tree digging excursions until his death.
-Moriguchi, Miya,Goya, and Oki led a very intensive Marina Study Group for many years in Los Angeles.  Each one was a great sensei even though they had very different ideas re bonsai styling.

Bonsai Club affiliations include: 

California Bonsai Society
San Diego Bonsai Club
San Pu Kai 
Kofu Bonsai Ka
Descanso Bonsai Society
South Coast Bonsai Society
Golden State Bonsai Federation
American Bonsai Society
Bonsai Clubs International
Ai Fu Kai Study Group
Marina Bonsai Study Group
San Nin No Guijin Study Group

 I have been involved in the “bonsai world” since living in Tokyo, Japan. 1970. Utilizing my collection of approximately 100 bonsai I have participated in bonsai shows at least two or three times a year.  I also participated in bonsai conferences statewide as well as in several meetings including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Spain.
 My 21-tree forest was a winner at the Del Mar Flower and Garden Show in 1999.  It has been gifted to the S.D.Bonsai Pavilion at Safari Park.
 Personal info:  Born 1933 in Chicago, Illinois.  
BA - Graduate of University of Illinois, graduate work and Librarian Assistant at Purdue University.  Mother of 4, Grandmother of 3. Teacher credentials in English, Spanish, and Physical Education. Did some law education and followed up with finance and investing.
 Teaching, lecturing, consulting, demonstrating, bonsai techniques, written newsletter articles, selling, pricing, organizing shows and convention registrations, setting up shows and sales, appraising of bonsai, etc.
Past Board of Trustees for Golden State Bonsai Federation for two terms 1993-1997. Also District Trustee. and a member of the original Bonsai Basics research and writing committee. 
 Librarian and Membership Chair for California Bonsai Society for eight terms.
Vice President and Program Chair for Sam Diego Bonsai Club 1998-1999
President of San Diego Bonsai Club 2000-2001
Liaison with San Diego Bonsai Club’s Bonsai Pavilion and Safari Park .1999 to present.
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  • Home
  • Activities
    • Next Meeting
    • 2025 Calendar
    • 2025 Fall Show
    • Bonsai Show Maps
  • Education
    • About SDBC Education
    • Beginner's Classes Overview
    • Beginner's Class Schedule
    • Workshops & Skills Classes
    • Study Groups >
      • Shohin Study Group
      • All About Bonsai Study Group
      • Ficus Study Group
    • Private Lessons
    • The Larry Ragle Scholarship
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Seasonal Task Schedule >
      • Newsletter
    • Club Forms
    • Club Library
    • Vendors
    • Photos >
      • Tanuki Creation By John Jackson
      • 2023 California Shohin Conference
      • 2020 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2018 Fall Show
      • 2018 SD County Fair
      • Spring 2018 Show
      • 2018 Cal Shohin Seminar
      • 2017 GSBF Convention #40
      • 2017 Fall Show
      • 2017 Spring Show
      • 2016 Fall Show
      • 2016 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2016 Spring Show
      • 2016 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2016 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2015 Fall Show Photos
      • 2015 Nisei Week Trip
      • Bonsai Stolen from San Gabriel Nursery
      • 2015 Spring Show
      • 2015 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Fall Show
      • 2014 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2014 July Bus Trip
      • 2014 Spring Show
    • Articles >
      • Charlie's Corner
      • Lime Sulfur
      • Bougainvillea Bonsai
      • Soil: It's What Goes in the Pot
      • 'Lyn's Bonsai Soil Mix
      • Back-Budding
      • Fertilizer
      • Wiring
      • REBS 2014 Show
      • 2014 Boxwood Dig
      • Club History
      • Club Logo
      • Time Traveler
      • First Show May 1966
    • Remembering... >
      • Remembering Big Dave Rochester
      • Remembering Marty Mann
      • Remembering Ko Tsushima
      • Remembering Harry Hirao
      • Remembering Bob Meyer
    • Video >
      • 2019-2021 Videos
      • 2015-2018 Videos
      • Video
      • More Video
  • Membership
    • Membership Form
    • Membership Benefits
    • Volunteer
  • Safari Park Bonsai Pavilion
    • Overview and History
    • Bonsai Pavilion Trees
    • Stolen Bonsai
  • About
    • Overview of Club
    • By-Laws
    • Past Presidents
  • Contact