Kentaro Shino at the age of 18, after the high school, he started the usual 5 year apprenticeship with a bonsai master and at the age of 24 he founded his own garden, the Tamaju-en. Last year one of his masterpieces, a Camellia, gained the Kokufu Exhibition prize, being the first Camellia bonsai that received the prize, in 83 editions!

Masakuni Kawasumi III took over the chair of the famous bonsai tool factory after his father’s death in 2002. Among his last recognitions the Grand Prize given by the Kawaguchi City Industrial Engineers and Technicians Association in 1998 and, in the same year, the official appointment as Tree Doctor obtained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Nobuyuki Kajiwara has been teaching bonsai art in Italy at the Crespi Bonsai University since its establishment in 1992 and he takes care of the development of the Crespi Bonsai Museum masterpieces. He regularly gives lectures and courses in various European and non-European countries, where he also takes care of important bonsai collections. His sensible approach to bonsai trees is the result of the long experience gained in different geographic conditions and of his great respect for nature.

Willi Benz has played a major part in popularizing the art of suiseki in his native Germany and throughout Europe. He established the German Suiseki Society and the German Bonsai Club. In addition, he is member of Bonsai Club International - proving his devotion to yet another popular Oriental art. He wrote a number of books about suiseki and bonsai. He gives many conferences all over the world.