About

Hi, my name is Jonas Dupuich and I am a Northern California bonsai enthusiast. I began studying bonsai over 20 years ago when I met Boon Manakitivipart (see the full story). What started as a hobby has grown into a fulfilling profession working on and writing about small trees.

In 2009, I started the Bonsai Tonight blog (that, too, has a story). Since my first post, I’ve written over 800 articles in an attempt to share what I’ve learned and to spread enthusiasm for what I believe to be a wonderful pursuit.

I’ve had the great fortune to study extensively with Boon Manakitivipart and learn from his senpai Akio Kondo and Daisaku Nomoto. In 2011, I spent two months studying with Junichiro Tanaka at Aichi-en in Nagoya, Japan, during which time I worked on trees from Tanaka’s collection and participated in exhibits including Gomangoku, Meifu-ten, Taikan-ten and Sakufu-ten.

My primary aim in bonsai is to help as many people as possible appreciate good bonsai. If you have ideas for how we can do this, feel free to write and let me know – I’ll be happy to help.

Wiring a black pine at Shimpukuji Temple

Decandling a black pine with Akio Kondo at a Bay Island Bonsai meeting

Exhibits & Awards

• Exhibitor, 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, 2016
• Exhibitor, Inaugural Artisans Cup, 2015
• Bay Island Bonsai Members’ Choice Awards 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015
• Bay Island Bonsai/Akio Kondo Bonsai Award, 2011
• Exhibited Entry, JAL/WBFF World Bonsai Contest, 2000, 2003, 2005

Portfolio

See examples of my trees on the Portfolio page or follow recent work on the blog.