Tony Hayworth

Tony’s first introduction to the art of bonsai was during the late 1970’s while stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. 

After returning to California, Tony joined the Yamato Bonsai Club in 1982.  Tony eventually took Sensei Uchida’s bonsai class (twice!) offered through the local adult school and became quite active with his bonsai pursuits.  

Throughout the remainder of the 1980’s Tony was influenced in bonsai by Sensei Uchida, Frank Fujitani, George Fujita, Frank Reyes, and the bonsai culture in general of the SF Bay Area. 

In 1989 he attended the World Bonsai convention in Omiya with Sensei Uchida and George Fujita.

In early 1990, Tony took up a work assignment back to Japan, choosing to live in Omiya near Bonsai Village.  This was a valuable period in Tony’s bonsai development that lasted 6 years.   He became a local in Omiya’s Bonsai Village during his non-work time, bouncing from nursery to nursery and event to event.  By chance, Tony’s daughter and Saburo Kato’s granddaughter were classmates and Tony spent many hours visiting and studying the fine detail of bonsai at Mansei-en, the home and workshop of Saburo Kato, former Chairman of Nippon Bonsai Association.

In 1992 Tony met Masahiko Kimura in downtown Omiya.  Kimura-san was so taken that Tony recognized him on the open street… he observed that “even Japanese people don’t know who I am”… he immediately invited Tony to his bonsai nursery and signed copies of his book for him.  Needless to say this is one of Tony’s prized possessions (and stories).  Tony attended the 1993 Kofuku-ten as a personal guest of Kimura-san. Another grand highlight!

In 1996 Tony returned to the SF Bay Area with his company and resumed his Bonsai relation with Yamato Bonsai.

In 1998 and in 2000 Tony returned to Japan on short work assignments.  He always made time to visit Omiya and Bonsai Village and was warmly greeted and remembered by the Kato Family.

In 2002, Tony again took a two-year assignment in Japan with his employer.  Visiting Omiya was a constant for him, especially to guide the many visitors from the States who came to Japan for Kofuku-ten and at other times of the year.  Tony contributed notes from Japan that were included in Yamato Bonsai club’s monthly newsletter

Tony returned to the Bay Area, (his home is in Union City) in 2004 where he has been rebuilding his bonsai collection, working on client trees, and furthering his bonsai skill.

Since 2004 Tony has assisted in the demonstrations of Masahiko Kimura, Shinji Suzuki, and California’s own Harry Hirao.  He has assisted Yamato Sensei Johnny Uchida many times at demonstrations and club events.

Tony has performed his own demonstrations at the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco, East Bay Bonsai Society, Collection North in Oakland, and the Buddhist Church summer Bazaar in Union City.

He enjoys teaching others about bonsai and writes a monthly column for the Yamato Bonsai Kai newsletter.