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Tomio Yamada

1938-2026

Tomio Yamada, 3^rd generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden in Omiya Bonsai Village has passed away quite recently. Seiko-en Bonsai Garden was founded by his grandfather Shonosuke but was then named the Oukei-en Bonsai Garden in Ugusudani during the Kaei Period (1848-1854) in Edo (now Tokyo) Japan. The garden was moved to Omiya Bonsai Village in 1943 with his father Kamajiro and the name was changed. 

Kamajiro Yamada

He started his formal bonsai training with his father in 1965. Both were outstanding sensitive arts I had the honor to meet them on my second day of study with Kyuzo Murata in June 1970. Preserving the taste and art of Edo, Seiko-en Bonsai Garden pursues the refined beauty and elegance of the seasons. They have authored many books together. This garden is one of the highlights of my bonsai tours.

Mr. Yamada first displayed a Needle juniper at the 1976 Saku Fu Bonsai Exhibition and won an award. He displayed often and won the coveted “Prime Minister’s Award” in 1985. Tomio Yamada specialized on evergreen bonsai but was skilled with all species. His literati and clinging-to-a-rock plantings were exceptional. 

He was the curator of the famous Takagi Bonsai Collection which later became the basic core of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. In 2012 he became an officer of the museum and greatly supports their mission. As the Director of the Omiya Bonsai Union he worked tersely establishing the “Omiya Brand” of bonsai He establishes the Japan Bonsai Artists Association in 1991. Mr. Yamada also established the Nippon Bonsai Sakka Association which has a chapter in Europe. He is a superb bonsai display master and often travels to Europe to teach his display principles.

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum celebrating their 10^th Anniversary presented a series of five-week one man bonsai exhibitions of the Top Contemporary Bonsai Masters in the world. Hiroshi Takeyama (2018) was the first to present his one-man show in spring, followed in autumn by Masahiko Kimura (2018.)

“Tomio Yamada– Bonsai Quest for Beauty” Exhibition was held from January to March 2020.

It featured 42 famous and well-known bonsai Tomio Yamada created or is credited for his design.

Mr. Yamada’s daughter, Kaori is now the 4^th generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden. “Saika Bonsai” (Colorful Flowers) is an original creation of hers. It is kind of a crossover of bonsai and Ikebana but, using living rooted plants. In order to promote and introduce bonsai to the younger generation and ladies by using common smaller inexpensive plants and combining them in containers. She is now well-established teaching through videos and TV appearances.

Seiko-en is one of the remaining six bonsai gardens in the Omiya Bonsai Village. Although small in size, this beautiful and unique garden houses many famous classical bonsai masterpieces. There are fine-quality bonsai displayed at every turn and corner.