|
In
the year 2000 (the year of the
dragon), at the initiative of
 Hotsumi
Terakawa, Bonsai Association "Sho Ryu Kai" or "Rising Dragon"
was founded. Although many people know of Hotsumi here is a
brief introduction to the founding father of our association.
Hotsumi Terakawa was born in 1962 in Japan. Nagasaki to be
exact. Already at the age of fourteen he chose a life dedicated
to bonsai. He learned the art in the bonsai garden of Hideo
Kato, the Yagumo Mansei-En. After a very intensive period of 7
years in the garden,
he worked in Japan. Afterwards he chose the Netherlands as his
home. Not only the Netherlands but the whole of Europe has
benefited enormously from his presence. His agenda is always
well filled with appointments for demonstrations,
workshops, maintenance of private collections and teaching his
students. They are taught in small groups in his bonsai studio
in Ammerzoden where
individual attention is an important aspect.
 However,
it is precisely in these small groups that there is a problem.
The groups have little contact with each other and the exchange
of experiences and ideas is limited.
Consequently there arose in the late nineties an idea amongst
the students of Hotsumi to found a bonsai association. There
were two objectives, to maintain social and educational contact.
That idea became a reality in the year 2000 and many successful
meetings have taken place. Every year there are several pleasant
events where the members meet and get to know and learn from
each other. Several workshops, demonstrations and lectures by
famous European bonsai masters, also on related art forms, can
be attended.
However, Hotsumi Terakawa is active in various countries and he,
along with his family, has chosen Japan again as his permanent
residence. With great regularity he travels back and forth
between Japan and the Netherlands. As a result of this
development he is now less involved with the association, but
where necessary, he supports the association through the
provision of information and attending activities in which he
shared his views with the attendees.
Besides the social character, a key objective of the association
Sho Ryu Kai is to raise the level of bonsai art in the
Netherlands. It does so by, among other things, holding an
exhibition at least once a year in which, if possible, every
member exhibits at least one Bonsai. In addition, a number of
members regularly hold workshops, lectures and demonstration
outside the association. Thus, the present knowledge is shared
with others.
Sho Ryu Kai is based on friendship, fun and commitment, all
these ingredients aim to show the bonsai world that Sho Ryu Kai
members are serious bonsai people.
Membership is open to both
students of Hotsumi Terakawa as well as others. Because of the
objective to increase the level at which the members practice
bonsai, there is one important condition: One can only join if
one is serious about bonsai because only then can the level
already reached can be retained. Candidate members
can pass on their interest to the secretary of the association. |