Benign Neglect: Historic Japanese American Bonsai features sixty bonsai grown mostly from seed by the Issei (first-generation Japanese Americans) post-WWII. These bonsai were left in the care of renowned aesthetic pruner Dennis Makishima, who described the collection as being one of “benign neglect” as the Issei became too busy rebuilding their lives after the war, and gave minimal attention to the bonsai. Over time, the bonsai started to form unusual visual features, and their aesthetic characteristics are not typical of contemporary bonsai practices. The photographs in Benign Neglect are the last time the bonsai are represented together, as Dennis donated his entire collection upon his retirement in 2021.

Exhibition at Presidio, San Francisco
September 16th – October 22nd, 2023

Conversation and Book Signing
w/ Dennis Makishima and Kenny Murakami
September 24, 1:30pm

Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center
640 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94129

Open on weekends from Noon to 5 pm
General Admission is $10, Veterans and children under 12 are freeVery limited parking; consider arriving via Muni 30

For tickets (free)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/benign-neglect-tickets-698183203757
pass: takeshi