As a medical doctor, i am a total neophyte to the world of bonsai. Just about 2 months ago, i have the strong feeling that i would like to enter the beauty and mystery of it. I started to attend basic bonsai classes; visited bonsai gardens and nurseries of the philippine bonsai masters -learn different techniques from them and finally i was able to read Bonsai TechniqueI. Practically, the questions on my mind were answered by this all-knowing book of John Naka = perfect for me, the neophyte. I was so amazed and overwhelmed with all the details that goes with it, and now i feel that i should have started bonsai much earlier. But then, i felt too, that it's not yet late for me to have my own bonsai collections, philippine set-up at that. This book will definitely be my guide and teacher! Although, Philippine trees are different from other countries and taking note that we only have 2 seasons (wet & dry), this book offers no problem to me. First,it gradually guided me to the mystery and beauty of any tree on a pot. Second, it suddenly woke up my interest to the complexity of the nature of bonsai. Every beginner should have this book. There's no doubt about it! There is so much to offer by this book - page by page- there is no stopping as to every detail one has to know! If only there is a chance for Mr. John Naka to visit the Philippines, we would be, in all honesty, be very greatful and proud if he does! To go here and bring all his books for us to buy would be very, very inspiring. With all the studies he did about trees from different countries, he should at least give a chance to analyze our native trees as to their being a potential bonsai. One thing to remember: once a bonsai faces you with all its serenity and mystery, his book could perfectly guide you to the right way of viewing it as well as understanding it. It achieves triumph within yourself and the inner peace you gain is tremendous once you make a bonsai, of course guided by John Naka's book entitled Bonsai Technique I.