Herman Sjouwerman

(1929-1989)

Born in Amsterdam, Herman Sjouwerman (1929-1989) was a member of the Toronto
Bonsai Society,1984-1987). Settling in Port Union , Scarborough, Canada, he became
a millwright mechanic with his family and father of six.

Herman practised his bonsai in isolation until he joined TBS.
 

By 1987, Herman was a founding member of the new Bowmanville Bonsai Society,
later to become the Matsuyama Bonsai Society. (MBS)
 

At the first MBS Bonsai, Show Herman demonstrated how to shape a bonsai, and
during our first year of meetings, guided us with ideas for our “brand new” bonsai.
 

Sadly, the second MBS show at the Visual Arts Centre, Bowmanville was dedicated
to the memory of this gentle, knowledgeable man.
 

Herman’s Blauwii was started as a sapling in the fifties when Herman began bonsai
and was given to Joan Greenway in 1989 after his death. The tree is approximately 80
years old.
 

Joan Greenway (TBS Member) has maintained the tree with Herman’s vision in mind,
trimmed, enhanced , and cared for over the last thirty five years. Having this tree
displayed at the TBS 60th Anniversary Show was a well deserved honour.

TheToronto Bonsai Society influenced and encouraged Herman, who in turn, supported
many “off shoots”. Herman’s Blaauw, now represents the tradition of collaboration
and cooperation in the World of Bonsai.