San Diego Bonsai Club
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Harry Hirao, Mr. California Juniper, Remembered

Picture
Harry Hirao, friend, teacher and mentor of countless enthusiasts of bonsai and suiseki, passed away on July 23, 2015 at the age of 98 years. A kind, gentle man known for his generosity, Harry looked forward to his visits to San Diego Bonsai Club every March on his birthday and demonstrating on one of his collected California junipers. 

Harry took pleasure in taking his students and friends to dig California junipers. Every tree digging trip was a great adventure with everyone hoping to find a master-piece just over the next hill. However, if you did not find a tree, he was sure to find one for you to take home. 

Harry Hirao is known and respected world wide in the bonsai and viewing stone community. During his lengthy career Harry received numerous awards . He donated a masterpiece bonsai to the John Y. Naka North American Bonsai Pavilion, National Arboretum, Washington D.C. and San Diego Bonsai Club’s Safari Park Bonsai Pavillion. Harry also donated viewing stones in honor of his beloved wife, Alyce, to the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum as well as donating to the Huntington Library, Harry Hirao Viewing Stone Courtyard. 

Harry Hirao leaves a great legacy of beautiful bonsai and suiseki, but more importantly, he leaves many, many friends. 


Glenn Jensen, Japanese Friendship Garden Bonsai Curator

Updated: January 11, 2023
All images © 2010-2023.
All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Activities
    • Next Meeting
    • 2023 Calendar
    • 2023 Spring Show
    • Bonsai-A-Thon
    • Winter Silhouettes Trip
    • 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
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Club Forms
    • Club Library
    • Vendors
    • Photos >
      • 2020 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2018 Fall Show
      • 2018 SD County Fair
      • Spring 2018 Show
      • 2018 Cal Shohin Seminar
      • 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
      • 2014 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2013 Fall Show
      • 2013 Spring Show
    • Articles >
      • Lime Sulfur
      • Bougainvillea Bonsai
      • Soil: It's What Goes in the Pot
      • 'Lyn's Bonsai Soil Mix
      • Back-Budding
      • REBS 2014 Show
      • 2014 Boxwood Dig
      • Club History
      • Club Logo
      • First Show May 1966
    • 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
  • Looking Back
    • Time Traveler
    • Remembering... >
      • Remembering Big Dave Rochester
      • Remembering Marty Mann
      • Remembering Ko Tsushima
      • Remembering Harry Hirao
      • Remembering Bob Meyer
  • About
    • Overview of Club
    • By-Laws
    • Past Presidents
  • Contact