Johnny Uchida

Yoneo Uchida, known as Johnny to his friends and colleagues, was born in Kagoshima, Japan and graduated from Ichiki Nogei Koko (Ichiki Agricultural High School). He came to the United States in 1956 on an Agricultural Labor Contract and worked at various fruit farms in California. After he completed his labor contract in 1959, he was hired by the Domoto Nursery in Hayward as a nursery laborer. It was there that he became interested in bonsai.

Johnny joined the Fuji Bonsai Club in 1962 and began studying the art of bonsai. In 1969 Johnny helped found the Yamato Bonsai Club in San Lorenzo, California. His friends Mr. Inadomi and Mr. Furuzawa were the first instructors of the club.

In 1971 Johnny started his own nursery in Hayward specializing in bonsai. Grove Way Nursery continues today, 36 years later, as one of the very few bonsai nurseries still in operation in the Bay Area. His clients count on his expertise and artistic abilities.

With diligence he continued to study techniques of cutting, pruning, wiring, shaping, and potting and, in 1976, Johnny became Yamato Bonsai Club’s instructor, or Sensei. For the last 31 years he has served the club in this position. In honor of his service, the Yamato Bonsai Club has placed a pedestal in his name at the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Collection North in Oakland.

In addition to serving the Yamato Bonsai Club, Johnny has served as the Sensei of the Bonsai Sekiyu Kai in Sacramento. Many clubs ask Johnny to be the featured demonstrator for their club shows. Johnny has traveled to Alaska, Washington, Texas, Michigan, and throughout California to demonstrate the art of Bonsai as a featured demonstrator. Johnny helped Masahiko Kimura in Detroit, Michigan with translation and demonstration, and convinced Mr. Kimura to be the featured artist at the Yamato Bonsai Club’s 33rd Annual Bonsai Show in 2004. In 2005 Johnny was able to arrange for Shinji Suzuki to be the featured artist at the Yamato annual show.

For the past 30 years Johnny has conducted evening classes at Adult Schools in Castro Valley, Newark, and San Lorenzo. Johnny earned his teaching credential for the State of California in 1976 and his Life Credential is one of the few vocational credentials issued for Bonsai instruction in the State.

Johnny was honored by the Great Japanese Agricultural Society in 2001 “for his distinguished contribution to the development of agriculture and the friendship between Japan and America.” The Governor of the Great Japanese Agricultural Society, Prince Nobuhito Katsura, and the President of the Great Japanese Agricultural Society, Eiji Yamagiwa, presented Johnny with the RYOKUHAKUJU-YUKOSHO (or the Medal of Green with a White Line) on November 22, 2001.

Johnny was presented with the Circle of Sensei Award at the GSBF Convention in 2003. This award honors those who have influenced the Bonsai world by being teachers of bonsai art and by their dedications and commitments to bonsai in California.

A visit to Grove Way Bonsai Nursery at 1239 Grove Way, Hayward, is a must for any Bonsai enthusiast who comes to Northern California. The gardens reflect the skills of a true bonsai artist. As a member of the Circle of Sensei, Johnny is recognized as one of the great teachers of bonsai. He continues to share his knowledge, promote the awareness of the art of Bonsai, and serve as a gracious mentor to his many students. His enthusiasm and integrity make him the perfect teacher.