This episode is a little different from our usual bonsai conversations—but I think many of the ideas we explore will resonate far beyond bonsai.
I sat down with Avram Dalton, an American garden craftsman who studied the Japanese language and spent years training in Japan. Today, he designs and builds authentic Japanese gardens throughout the United States. Based in the San Diego area, Avram has devoted his career to understanding the principles, aesthetics, and philosophy behind the Japanese approach to craftsmanship.
Our conversation goes far beyond trees and stone. We discuss Avram’s approach to designing Japanese gardens, how the principles of Japanese landscape design translate from Japan to projects throughout the United States, and what distinguishes truly exceptional Japanese gardens. Along the way, we explore concepts like shokunin and several other uniquely Japanese ideas surrounding craftsmanship, beauty, discipline, and the lifelong pursuit of excellence. Whether your passion is bonsai, woodworking, gardening, martial arts, or any other craft, I think you’ll find something meaningful in this conversation. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the Japanese way of thinking about craftsmanship, and I think you will too.
Instagram: @daltonlandscape
Website: daltonlandscape.com
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Black Pondo on Chatting With Seth Nelson
(00:04:08) - Phil Dalton on Starting a Landscape Company
(00:10:37) - San Diego Mayor on His Home Town
(00:11:37) - Bonsai Artist on His Career
(00:12:56) - Japanese bonsai apprenticeship
(00:24:07) - How to Become a Buddhist Temple Apprentice
(00:26:38) - Multiple Specialties in Japanese Gardens
(00:28:47) - Do Japanese Gardeners Plan Their Projects?
(00:38:07) - How To Build a Japanese Garden in America
(00:42:55) - David Suzuki's work
(00:49:04) - Bonsai Apprenticeships in Japan
(00:55:16) - Ex-Japanese workers speak fluent Japanese
(01:00:01) - How Japanese Garden Builders came to San Diego
(01:08:22) - Do Japanese People Talk About Landscape Gardening?
(01:14:15) - A Taste of the Quiz
(01:14:43) - Japanese Landscaping
(01:24:03) - What is a tea garden?
(01:32:57) - Tea gardens: A mountain life within the city
(01:36:50) - When You Design a Japanese Garden,
(01:38:50) - Oak and Manzanita in California
(01:44:06) - Japan's plant selection
(01:46:49) - Taste Japanese Traditional Arts and Crafts
(01:50:38) - Using American tools in the excavations
(01:52:43) - Importing Japanese stones for your garden
(01:58:44) - Bonsai in the Garden
(02:02:11) - I Would Love to Consult with You on My Japanese Garden
(02:06:56) - Workouts on the Bay
(02:07:44) - Talks of Shuhari and Zen
(02:12:32) - Experiencing Japanese Culture
(02:17:55) - A Shokunin
(02:26:26) - In the Elevator With a Master
(02:27:29) - The Importance of Japan
(02:38:27) - Talking to People With Metadata
(02:38:57) - A Talk About Talking
(02:39:31) - Philip Glass on Working with Dalton Landscape
(02:42:23) - A message from the Divine
(02:43:42) - Do You Think You're an Introvert or an Extrovert
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