Robert Baran: Inside Bonsai’s Past & Present History - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep51
In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus
NEXT WORKSHOP 01/17/2025- Bonsai on Tap - Intro to Indoor Bonsai at Nocterra Brewing in Powell (all are welcome!). More details and sign up here.
I've added many new pots available for sale. Find them here or at invivobonsai.etsy.com, but generally, if you contact me directly, I can give you a discount from what is listed there. Each Etsy listing comes with free US shipping. I am in the process of adding more trees to my website here also, so stay tuned and check back.
NEXT Columbus Bonsai Society meeting: Bonsai Deadwood Styles, Mechanisms, and Methods - 01/18/2026. More info here. Presentation, discussion of member trees, and potential demonstration by yours truly.
I. Episode Summary & Links
In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and Ryan
sit down with Robert Baran, one of the world’s most respected bonsai historians
and researchers. Robert shares the stories behind decades of archived bonsai
knowledge and how he built Magiminiland.com into a global resource for miniature
tree history. The conversation explores how bonsai traveled across cultures,
how early masters shaped the art, and why preserving bonsai history is more
important than ever. You’ll hear Robert reflect on his personal journey, his
passion for research, and the untold stories that shaped the bonsai world. This
episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves bonsai, history, and the deeper
meaning behind miniature trees.
Robert Baran is the bonsai historian and researcher behind the most comprehensive publicly available bonsai archive linked below, which he is continually adding to. He has also written several articles and contributed to books on this subject.
Robert's various books and book contributions can be found here.
Sponsor Info:
This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at invivobonsai.etsy.com, or go to www.InVivoBonsai.com and navigate to the consignment pottery and tree pages.
For Etsy sales, there is currently a 10% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal with the code CYBER25.
Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.
See the relevant images and links from this episode below.
American GIs visit the garden of Murata in 1945, shortly after the end of WWII. This is the note they left in his guest book. Murata was the bonsai artist we discussed in the interview who was one of the few given special permission from the Emperor of Japan to continue his professional bonsai practice during WWII.
American GIs visit the garden of Murata in 1945, shortly after the end of WWII.
B. Robert Baran's early days of bonsai (all pictures also from MagiMiniland.org)
Robert Baran leading a talk/demonstration for the Phoenix Bonsai Socety
Robert Baran with the former curator Warren Hill of the US National Arboretum.
Robert Baran visiting Goshin at the US National Arboretum.
C. Books which Robert Baran helped author or contributed to:
The Bonsai Coloring Book. A few copies and source material remain available on MagiMiniland.org
Other books and contributions can be found here on MagiMiniland.org
D. Bumping Shoulders with Bonsai Greats - Robert Baran at American Bonsai Society Symposium Denver 2012 & US National Bonsai Exhibit 2025 (all pictures from MagiMiniland.org)
The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. Learn more about the podcast at the links below. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly!
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