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John Yoshio Naka’s Bonsai Techniques II (published in 1982) is widely considered the "bible" of advanced bonsai design for Western practitioners. While Volume I focused on foundational care and basic styles, Volume II delves into the artistic philosophy and sophisticated refinement required to make a miniature tree truly look like a majestic specimen in nature. 🌳 Core Philosophy: "Make it Look Like a Tree"
Naka’s most famous teaching was: "Don't make your tree look like a bonsai. Make your bonsai look like a tree".
Naturalism over Rules: He encouraged artists to move beyond strict geometric rules to find the "spirit" of the individual tree.
Observation of Nature: The book emphasizes studying how weather, gravity, and age affect wild trees (e.g., lower branches angling downward due to weight) and mimicking those effects.
Advanced Aesthetics: Focuses on the "distribution of power," balance, and the relationship between the tree and its environment. 📘 Key Technical Concepts in Volume II
Unlike the first volume, this text explores the "why" behind the "how" across several advanced categories: Key Techniques & Chapters Styling & Design john naka bonsai techniques 2 pdf
Use of Sumi-e (ink wash painting) hints to understand negative space and balance. Deadwood Art
Detailed methods for Jin (dead branches) and Shari (trunk stripping) to simulate age and weathering. Refinement
Techniques for Inarching (grafting a branch back into the trunk) to fix gaps in the silhouette. Specialized Form
Deep dives into Shohin (miniature) bonsai and California Junipers. Presentation
Professional selection of containers (pots) and the art of Suiseki (viewing stones) and companion plants. 🛠️ Educational Tools & Legacy John Naka - Bonsai Empire
Title: The Encyclopedic Evolution of American Bonsai: An Analysis of John Naka’s Bonsai Techniques II
Abstract This paper examines Bonsai Techniques II (1982) by John Yoshio Naka, the seminal follow-up to his 1973 debut Bonsai Techniques. While the first volume served as an introductory manual for the English-speaking world, the second volume represents a significant maturation of the art form in the West. This analysis explores the book's role in transitioning bonsai from a mysterious Eastern curiosity to a structured artistic discipline. It highlights the text's emphasis on advanced horticultural science, detailed species-specific guides, and the sophisticated integration of Chinese Penjing influences, cementing Naka’s legacy as the father of American bonsai. I can’t provide or link to copyrighted PDF
While Volume I taught you to wire a branch, Volume II teaches you why that branch should bend 7 degrees to the left. Naka uses detailed sketches (his drawing style is iconic) to explain how to avoid geometric patterns. He introduces the "Rule of Three" in branch placement and the famous "Father, Mother, Child" branch concept. In the John Naka Bonsai Techniques 2 PDF scans, you will find hand-drawn diagrams showing exactly how to break rigidity in formal upright styles.
Many PDF seekers are specifically looking for Naka’s grafting charts. He details:
These are not generic horticultural grafts; they are bonsai-specific life-saving surgeries for trees with reverse taper or missing lower branches.
While Bonsai Techniques I is often recommended for beginners because it covers soil, watering, and basic shaping, Volume II is where the real artistry happens.
1. The Focus on "Saikei" and Group Plantings One of the major sections of this book covers Saikei (tray landscapes). Naka was instrumental in popularizing this art form outside of Japan. Unlike single-tree bonsai, this volume delves into creating entire landscapes—mountains, streams, and forests—within a single tray. It teaches perspective and scale in a way that single-tree focus does not.
2. Advanced Grafting and Propagation Volume II moves beyond basic cuttings. It details advanced techniques like:
3. The "Deadwood" Aesthetic Naka was a master of creating the illusion of age. Volume II provides extensive instruction on Jin (dead branches) and Shari (deadwood trunks). He explains not just how to strip the bark, but how to carve and preserve the wood so it looks natural and ancient rather than just "cut." A concise summary of core Naka techniques and
4. The Sketches If you have seen the PDF, you know the sketches are hand-drawn by Naka himself. They are less about photorealism and more about structural instruction. He often draws arrows indicating the direction of growth and flow, which is often easier to understand than a photograph.
A defining characteristic of Bonsai Techniques II is its rigorous adherence to horticultural science. Unlike many predecessor texts that relied on rigid rules or aesthetic aphorisms, Naka grounded his second volume in botany.
The text offers exhaustive anatomical breakdowns of tree physiology. Naka provides detailed diagrams of branch collars, healing wounds, and vascular systems. This scientific approach empowered Western enthusiasts to understand why a technique worked, rather than just how to perform it. For example, his sections on grafting (approach grafts, thread grafts, and root grafts) are far more advanced than in his previous work, acknowledging that the creation of bonsai is often a surgical procedure rather than simple pruning.
This volume also addresses the misconception that bonsai is purely artistic sculpture. Naka emphasizes that the tree is a living entity first, and a piece of art second. The book’s detailed calendars for feeding, watering, and maintenance—tailored to various climates—remain some of the most referenced appendices in the bonsai community.
Volume II contains a specific recovery mix for collected trees (Yamadori). It is not the standard Akadama/Pumice/Lava mix. Instead, he advocates for:
This "Naka Mix" is specifically designed for trees that have had their taproots severed during collection.